In a decisive step towards strengthening the disaster preparedness and response, Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a high-level meeting to review the implementation of Incident Response System (IRS) in Jammu and Kashmir.
Pertinently, the IRS is a structured and standardized mechanism aimed at replacing the ad-hoc measures with a well-coordinated, accountable and efficient disaster response framework.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, DMRR&R; Principal Secretary, PWD; Director General, Fire & Emergency Services; Commissioner Secretaries of FCS&CA and Information Department; Secretary, Transport; Director, Information; DG, Codes; DG, Budget and other senior officers while Deputy Commissioners from across the UT joined virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Secretary underscored the critical importance of resource mapping at the district level. He directed the Disaster Management Department to provide necessary formats and guidelines to facilitate the process.
Highlighting the UT’s vulnerability to natural and anthropogenic disasters, he called for full operational readiness through regular mock drills, periodic assessments and seamless coordination to ensure timely and effective response during emergencies.
Principal Secretary, DMRR&R, Chandraker Bharti, informed that the primary objective of the IRS is to establish a unified chain of command and clearly defined roles for disaster response teams to minimize loss of life and property. He noted that the system comprises of trained composite teams capable of handling all aspects of disaster response, thereby enhancing the accountability and operational efficiency.
About the key milestones in IRS implementation, it was revealed that a UT-level notification was issued on June 24, 2025, assigning roles and responsibilities to the Incident Response Team.
Further a one-day workshop was held on July 18, 2025, in Srinagar, for the officers to familiarize them with their roles under IRS which also saw the launch of an IRS handbook designating in detail the mechanism, the roles and responsibilities for each of them. Additionally, the district-level training sessions are scheduled across Kashmir and Jammu divisions from August 19 to October 6, 2025.
Moreover, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines were circulated to the District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) and concerned departments.
With respect to the key IRS Designations in J&K, the meeting was apprised that the Chief Secretary had been designated as a Responsible Officer Administrative Secretary, Power Development Department (Incident Commander), Director General of Police (Operations Section Chief), Administrative Secretary, DMRR&R (Planning Section Chief) and Divisional Commissioners (Logistics Section Chief for respective Divisions).
On account of the effective implementation, it was laid out that notification of IRS structure at divisional and district level are going to be done soon in consultation with the DDMAs and NDRF.
It was added that the focus is on sensitizing the concerned DDMAs to notify IRS structures at divisional and district levels, frame Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for system activation, convene monthly meetings of Incident Response Teams, conduct regular mock drills, audit and update resources on the IDRN portal, and ensure mandatory training and role-awareness sessions for all designated officers.
The Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction (DMRR&R) remains committed towards fostering a resilient and disaster-ready Jammu and Kashmir through structured systems, capacity building and community engagement.