A Kakkanad fire safety mock drill at the Ernakulam Collectorate complex tested the evacuation and emergency response systems of a five-storey government office building on 31 October, with fire engines, police personnel, Civil Defence volunteers and disaster management officials taking part.
The exercise began with simulated smoke and flames, followed by an emergency siren. Employees from offices across all five floors exited the building, while rescue teams carried out demonstrations involving rope rescue, emergency medical triage, first aid and the evacuation of injured people.
The drill was jointly led by the Disaster Management Authority, the Fire and Rescue Services and Civil Defence. Since the exercise had been announced in advance through office notices and the media, most visitors and employees quickly understood that the emergency was simulated and cooperated with the response teams.
One part of the exercise involved a simulated fire near the ground floor. District Collector G. Priyanka used a fire extinguisher to put out the artificial fire and explained how the equipment should be operated during a fire emergency. The demonstration placed attention on the role of trained occupants in controlling a small fire before it spreads or emergency services arrive.
Rescue personnel also demonstrated the movement of a person with simulated burn injuries on a stretcher towards an ambulance. Teams brought other simulated casualties down from upper floors using rope rescue techniques, while medical personnel carried out triage and first-aid procedures.
The exercise included a demonstration of a firefighting robot designed for situations where fire personnel may not be able to enter safely. The wheeled robot can be driven towards a fire, with water supplied through a hose connected to a fire engine. The equipment was presented as a means of tackling intense fires or reaching areas that pose a direct risk to firefighters.
Additional District Magistrate K. Manoj, Deputy Collector for Disaster Management Joseph Stephen Roby, Hazard Analyst Anjali Parameswaran, District Fire Officer A.S. Joji and officers from the Thrikkakara, Club Road and Gandhinagar fire stations participated in the exercise. Civil Defence officials, the district coordinator and a doctor from Aluva General Hospital were also involved.
The mock drill brought together evacuation, firefighting, rescue, medical response and specialised equipment demonstration within the Collectorate premises. The participating agencies used the exercise to practise coordinated action during a fire emergency in a busy public office complex.
