C-MEX 2012: THE NATIONAL DISASTER DRILL OF THAILAND ( A REPORT )
I have been lucky enough to be invited by The National Security Council of Thailand and Thai Association of Emergency Medicine to be invited to C-MEX 2012; the national disaster drill of Thailand at Chiang Rai Province between 12th and 14th September 2012.
I flew to Bangkok on 12th Morning and was first greeted at The Rama Garden hotel by the team which comprised of 93 members of various agencies like
Thai Armed Forces
Thai Naval Forces
Royal Thai Air Forces
National Security Council
Disaster Warning Department
Ministry of Public Health
Thai Association of Emergency Medicine
Narenthorn EMS
Education department
And many others.
We took C 130 of Royal Thai air force along with our ambulance to Chiang Rai which is itself one of the unique experiences of my life.
We arrived at Chiang Rai at about 1700 hours where we visited the drill center and checked in our hotel. That evening we had a inaugural meeting explaining the drill process which was obviously in Thai Language. (Thanks to Dr Pairoj for continuous translation).
On 13th we arrived at the drill center at 0700 hours to set up our (MERT Team: Medical Emergency Response Team of Thailand) tent. The drill started at 0900 hours at the center. First 2 hours were devoted to set up the desk of 17 agencies which also included Tele Communication, Broadcasting, Police, Forensic, Transport, Education, Disaster Warning, Radio Chiang Rai, EMS Dispatch center etc.
The scenario was injected at 1100 hours and we were continuously working until 1700 hours. We visited the main drill center, the command center, the Chiang Rai Province Operation center and a Local district hospital for evacuation.
We concluded the day with a feedback session over an early dinner at 1830 hours.
We started the last day i.e. 14th September with deploying our team at the MERT tent. We went live to National Broadcasting channel explaining our activities. Then we participated in the wrap up session.
We packed our tent and had lunch with General. Wichean Potephosree; the secretary general of National Security Council and then straight way headed for the HOTWASH.
Conclusions from HOTWASH:
1. CMEX need more involvement and communication across different agencies.
2. A more realistic drill need to be planned
3. Local responses must be involved more.
4. Nationwide communication was excellent
We came back to Bangkok by the same C 130 which was gain a joy ride for me.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PHOTOS OF CMEX 2012
While I was heading back to India
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