Chemical disaster mock drill conducted

BONGAIGAON, Jan 6: A full scale offsite chemical disaster plan mock drill was conducted recently in coordination with the authorities of Bongaigaon Refinery (BGR), which is required to be conducted by the district administration once in a year as per Chemical Accidents (Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Response) Rules 1996.

The scenario for the mock drill was– One loaded LPG bullet was parked opposite to CISF watch tower No. 1 near Western property line of BGR. Suddenly Pressure Safety Release Valve of the bullet started leaking profusely due to malfunctioning. The whole area was surrounded by LPG vapours. A few drivers and handymen were cooking food on the roadside at some distance. Gradually the LPG vapour cloud travelled towards the South side and caught fire. Initially the fire was fought by Bongaigaon Refinery personnel. Later, it turned into disaster due to spreading of fire into nearby populated area.

The Deputy Commissioner, Chirang district being the Chief District Emergency Coordinator declared an offsite disaster by ordering blowing of the disaster siren. Wailing sirens to indicate the disaster were sounded. The Deputy Commissioner, Chirang accompanied by other offsite coordinators immediately assembled and set up a Crisis Control Room (CCR) at DC’s Office Conference Hall. All officers of offsite disaster management team were instructed to visit site of fire and start fire fighting, evacuate affected people, announce for closure of all shops, stop electric supply and set up relief camp and first aid centre at union office of BGR. Three fire tenders were pressed into fire fighting service and the fire was extinguished within 45 minutes.

Based on assessment at the site of incidence after the fire was extinguished, all clear siren was blown and subsequently traffic normalised.

The fire consequences were four houses were gutted on fire, two casualties and injuries to six persons.

The Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police, Chirang, Senior Executives of BGR, CRPF, CISF, Factory Inspectorate, also other district officials and NGOs took active part in the mock drill.

The General Manager (Tech Services), BGR, SP Chirang, ADC Chirang, and observers addressed the review meeting held under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner, Chirang in the Crisis Control Room. The deficiencies reported were noted and resolved to address in future. This was stated in a press release. THE SENTINEL