This opinion [more so for its content] may sound a little weird at this time, but I want to narrate a real-life disaster management case that was dealt with wonderfully. Therefore, it deserves mention.

I was at the Fortis Hospital in Shalimar Bagh (North Delhi area) attending a medical emergency last week. In less than half an hour of being at the hospital, I saw a few men screaming in the corridors. A fire broke out in an adjacent slum. Fire spread like it does. In no time the sky was black. I couldn’t see anything but smoke all over the place.

Sunil Kapoor, Zonal Director of Fortis (Sunil joined Fortis in year 2000 as the CIO and then moved on to a business/operations role) was at the helm. Sensing an emergency, Sunil issued a ‘Code Red,’ a message announced over a hospital's public address system (PAS), indicating a fire or other adverse conditions that can cause grave problems. The Code Red was issued to alert the hospital staff for fighting the emergency, but what I saw the hospital staff doing was beyond belief.

The entire support staff sprung into action literally instantaneously. The fire-fighting equipment deployed for the hospital were pulled out. In no time, about 35-40 personnel including Sunil were at the site to extinguish the devilish looking fire. There wasn’t any sign of a fire brigade until then. Three hose pipes (pulled from different directions in the hospitals) were spraying water with an aim to saving human lives.

Inside the hospital, an emergency team of doctors and ancillary staff were on alert to tackle the situation (part of the Code Red). Messages were constantly broadcast over the (PAS) updating the emergency response teams. In less than half an hour, the smoke settled. I peeped out of a window. The fire was almost extinguished. It caused damage but it was not widespread. The disaster management system of a Hospital came in handy in not only saving its own assets but also precious lives outside its ecosystem. The sheer effectiveness of a ‘Plan’ and the proactive approach of the personnel to avert the disaster was what made me exclaim in joy.

Disasters seldom strike with a warning. All you need is to remain fully geared up to act upon a disaster management plan, the damage can be minimized. In this case, I saw no casualties/injuries.

I wish you a safe year ahead.

Rahul Neel Mani

rahul.mani@9dot9.in