Know Your Civil Defense... Compilation By A T Krishnamurthy

KNOW ABOUT CIVIL DEFENCE 

1. What is civil defence?

Civil Defence is a voluntary organizationof citizens for the protectionand safety of citizens and their properties.

2. Birth of Civil Defence in India

•     In India,Civil Defence was established in the name of Central Emergency Relief Organisation (CERO) in 1936

•     Civil Dfence was exists during world war 1939-45

•     Civil Defence Regulation drafted in 1962

•       It came in to effect on 10-July 1968

•       Its activities started during 1971

•       Later on,itwas modified to include protection of citizens against Terror acts and Disaster.

•       World Civil Defence Day will be celebrated every year on March 1^st since 1990 by ICDO Gen. Assembly

3. Organisation of Civil Defence

•       Civil Defence comes under Central Govt. Ministry of Home Affairs and also under the State Home ministry

•       Mr. Omprakash, DGP is also in charge of Civil Defence called as Director Civil Defence (DCD)

•       Mr. Gopal B Hosur is IGP Home guards & Civil Defence

•       Mr. Chetan is the Chief warden of Civil Defence

•       The city is divided into 50+ Civil Defence divisions

•        Each division is headed by a Divisional Warden

•       Mrs. Cheryl Rebello is the Divisional Warden for Division17 - that includes the areas that come under the jurisdiction of JC Nagar and RT Nagar police stations limits.

•       Mr. Vidyadhar is the Dy. Divisional Warden

•       Each division is divided in to 10 posts or area

•       Mr. A T Krishnamurthy is the Post warden for the area 17-04

•       Mr. Sharath K is the Dy. Post warden for the area 17-04

•       Each post is divided in to 10 sectors

•       As an Example Mr. C M Nagaraj is the sector warden for the Sector17-04-05. (Dasappa Garden)

•       Each sector wardens can have number of volunteers.

4. What are the Objectives of Civil Defence?

·      To keep up the morale of common Citizen during emergencies 

·      To restore normalcy in essential services, industrial units & other walks of life after the attacks / disasters / calamities, quickly

·      To actively partnership with security to save life and minimize the damage to the property during disasters / natural calamities 

5. What are the services offered by the Civil Defence?

1.  Headquarter Service

2.  Communication Service

3.  Warden Service

4.  Casualty Service

5.  Fire-Fighting Service

6.  Training Service

7.  Rescue Service

8.  Depot and Transport Service

9.  Supply Service

10.      Salvage Service

11.      Welfare Service

12.      Corpse Disposal Service

6. What are the activities of Civil Defence?

·      Warning;

·      Evacuation;

·      Management of shelters;

·      Management of blackout measures;

·      Rescue;

·      Medical services – including first aidand religious assistance;

·      Fire-fighting;

·      Detection and marking of danger areas;

·      Decontamination and similar protective measures;

·      Provision of emergency accommodation and supplies;

·      Emergency assistance in restoration and maintenance of  law &order in distressed areas;

·      Emergency repair of indispensable public utilities;

·      Emergency disposal of the dead;

·      Assistance in the preservation of objects essential for survival;

·      Complementary activities needed to carry out any of the tasks mentioned above.

7. Awareness of various Hazards

1.  Earth quake Safety

2.  Transport Accident Safety

3.  Elementary Fire Safety

4.  Household LPG Safety

5.  Emergency First Aid

6.  Emergency Casualty Handling

7.  Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) /(FBAO) Foreign body airway obstruction Training

8.  Improvised explosive devices (IED) Safety

9.  Flood & Water Safety

10. Community Risk Management.

11. Industrial Risk Management.

12. Disease Control

8. What are the methods that can be adopted to make awareness of civil defence to the public?

·      Educating the Community

·      Liaising with print and electronic media for regular publicity of Civil Defence activities, including utilization of local TV channels to conduct discussion, debates, etc., on Civil Defence.

·      Holding regular mock drills, exercises and rehearsal of Civil Defence activities, to generate public awareness

·      Preparing publicity material, literature and brochures about Civil Defence and distributing these in events related to Civil Defence.

·      Organizing public functions to honour persons who have contributed to the Civil Defence cause by participating in its activities.

·       Civil Defence Awareness in Schools.

·      Taking guest lectures in schools, holding demonstrations, showing films, visits to Civil Defence establishments, etc.

·      Holding camps for students to provide them basic training in skills for Civil Defence/Disaster Management.

·      Arranging sector march, area march and divisional march in the area

9. Types of Training for wardens

·      Basic First Aid Course

·      Basic Flood Safety Course

·      Basic Fire Response Course

·      Basic Search & Rescue Course

·      Basic Warden Course

·      Basic Control room Operation Course

·      Civil Defence Foundation Course

·      Basic Recovery Operation Course

·      Basic Public Health Response Course

·      Short Term Civil Defence Awareness Programme

10.     Personality of a Sector Warden (SW)

·      Sector Warden is a backbone of Civil Defence

·      They are eyes and ears of CD. They are friend, Philosopher and guide to citizens.

·      They must be familiar in the area and in a position to advice people through their personality

·      They should be completely aware of all streets and be aware of adjacent sectors also

·      They should be familiar withlocations of schools, colleges, factories, govt. buildings, Cinema halls, places of worship, important hotels, andGovt. and private shelters in their sector

·      They should know the locations of house fire parties in their division.

·      They should be in contact with highly influential personalitiesof the area.

·      Availability of pumps, ladders, Hydrants and turn cocks, sand and water resources at the nearest pointsshall be known to them.

·      They should have Contact Nos. of fire stations, police station, post office,

·      Should have names and addresses of doctors, chemists, veterinary doctors, govt. and private hospitals in the area

·      Knowledge of Dangerous / hazardous spots in the locality

11.     What are the services of Sector Wardens?

In addition to the instructions given by the CD

authorities, the following services have to be provided.

·      Sector wardens are the link between the public and authorities

·      They should create awareness of Civil Defence among the public

·      Should organize self-help parties

·      Should send report of damages

·      Control small incidents

·      Maintain house hold register

·      Maintain diary

·      Prepare area map indicating important informations needed.

·      Organise house fire party

·      Arrange CD awareness programs in schools, colleges and in community centers in their area,

for the public

12.     Conclusion

India is in dire need of well-educated and dedicated youths to join its civil defence services. It is an honorable job to defend the society and people and one should keenly look into it.

Those who have high spirits and great determination to do something for the Nation should join civil defence

Our society is struck with plague of corruption, terrorism, thefts, rapes and murders. We need young and sharp minds to take part actively in serving the society as this section is deprived of educated people.

Defence forces guard the borders whereas CD volunteers guard the area where they live

Joining CD will help you to protect you first and then the family and then the society and neighborhood.

Take a decision and join immediately.

                    Compiled by A T Krishnamurthy

Post warden Div 17