FSL-India finds a Niche in Accidents Prevention and Mitigation Committee
Formation of Local Crisis Group at Sriperumbudur Block and Kancheepuram District is gaining momentum. Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India has formed Chemical Accidents Prevention and Mitigation Committee (emergency planning, preparedness and response) at Kancheepuram district. Local Administration and SIPCOT Project Office also have formed a Local Crisis Group in Sriperumbudur block where FSL-India is the only organisation of the forum and a member of the committee to facilitate the program. Representative from Government Department such as health, fire, police, revenue and corporate sectors are the members in the Chemical Accidents Prevention and Mitigation Committee. The functions of the District Crisis Group are as follows:
- The District Crisis Group is the apex body in the district to deal with major chemical accident and provide expert guidance for handling chemical accident. It will assist in the preparation of the district emergency plan and review all the onsite emergency plans prepared by the occupier of Major accident hazards for the preparation of the district off-site emergency plan.
- Continuously monitor every chemical accident, ensure continuous information flow from the district to the centre and state crisis group regarding accident situation and mitigation efforts.
- Forward a report of the chemical accident with in fifteen day to the state crisis group.
- Conduct at least one full scale mock-drill of a chemical accident at a site each year and forward a report of the strength and the weakness of the plan to the state crisis group.
In this regard the first program started on 27th July 2012 at Saint Gobain Company, Sriperumbudur where Government officials, core committee members and corporate representatives participated. After the self-introduction, practical sessions are conducted (mock-drill exercise). All the facilities are arranged by Saint Gobain Company. The program was inaugurated by Revenue Divisional officer from Kancheepuram. The same exercise will follow for all the companies and gradually to the nearby villages in near future.