The Disaster Management Act 2005 made statutory provision for the constitution of a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) for specialised response to natural and man-made disasters. Accordingly, the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) set up and trained one company each of the 9th, 10th, 13th, 14th and 15th IR battalions, along with all 11 District Executive Forces (DEFs) and the Village Guards of Tuensang.

While SDRF personnel trained from the Police exist, they cannot be utilised full-time since they are primarily assigned to law-and-order duty. NSDMA recognised the need for a full-time dedicated SDRF to provide timely response during a disaster. 240 personnel from the Civil Defence and Home Guards were drawn and trained, through proper screening and examination, as a dedicated Special Force for disaster response. These personnel are stationed at 8 key locations across the state for prompt and effective response.

The IRB/DEF- and Village Guard-trained SDRF continues to act as a back-up force during large-scale disasters, maintaining proper order during an emergency. During normal times, the dedicated 240-strong SDRF conducts awareness programmes in villages, schools and colleges; in the event of a disaster, they form the first line of response for search and rescue operations. The Government of Nagaland continues to invest in the safety of the state and its people, and NSDMA endeavours to build a resilient Nagaland.