National Disaster Response Force(NDRF)

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Personnel of the National Disaster Response Force have been deployed in coastal areas of Tamil Nadu to deal with Cyclonic storm Nivar

About NDRF

• It is the specialized force constituted “for the purpose of a special response to a threatening disaster situation or disaster” under the Disaster Management Act, 2005
• The Disaster Management Act  2005 has statutory provisions for the constitution of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) for the purpose of specialized response to natural and man-made disasters. 
• Accordingly, in 2006 NDRF was constituted with 8 Battalions(12 now). 
• In the beginning, the personnel of NDRF were deployed for routine law and order duties also. 
• In a meeting of the National Disaster Management Authority ( NDMA) with the Prime Minister on October 25, 2007 it was decided to make NDRF a dedicated force for disaster response related duties, under the unified command of DG NDRF.
• Presently it works under the National Disaster Management Authority(Headed by PM) and the Ministry of Home Affairs

Role of NDRF

When ‘calamities of severe nature’ occur, the Central Government is responsible for providing aid and assistance to the affected state, including deploying, at the State’s request, of Armed Forces, Central Paramilitary Forces, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and such communication, air and other assets, as are available and needed. Following are the various roles played by the NDRF: 

• NDRF is equipped and trained to handle a range of difficulties, from borewell accidents to chemical, biological and radioactive emergencies.

Organization

• At present, the National Disaster Response Force consists of 12 battalions located in 12 different locations in the country, three each from the BSF and CRPF and two each from CISF, ITBP and SSB. 
• Each battalion have 18 self-contained specialist search and rescue teams of 45 personnel each including engineers, technicians, electricians, dog squads and medical/paramedics.
• These battalions are also trained and equipped for response during chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) emergencies.
• The head of the NDRF is designated as Director General. The Director Generals of NDRF are IPS officers on deputation from Indian police organisations

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