Centre asks several states to conduct mock drills to evaluate civil defence preparedness

The Union Home Ministry has asked several states to conduct mock drills on Wednesday to evaluate civil defence preparedness.

Sources in the Ministry said that the measures to be undertaken include operationalization of Air Raid Warning Sirens and training of civilians and students on the civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack.

Sources added that the measures also include the provision of crash blackout measures, provision for early camouflaging of vital installations and update of the evacuation plan and its rehearsal.

A mock drill is a kind of a practice operation designed to prepare individuals for potential emergencies or critical situations.

What is in the order?

According to the MHA, the primary objectives of the mock drill are as follows:

• To assess the effectiveness of air raid warning systems.

• Operationalisation of Hotline/Radio Communication Links with the Indian Air Force.

• To test the functionality of control rooms and shadow control rooms.

• Training civilians, students, etc., on civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack.

• Provision of crash blackout measures.

• Provision for early camouflaging of vital plants/installations.

• To verify the activation and response of Civil Defence services, including warden services, firefighting, rescue operations, and depot management.

• To assess the implementation of crash blackout measures.

• To evaluate the preparedness of evacuation plans and their execution.

“The conduct of the exercise is planned up to the village level. This exercise aims to assess and enhance the readiness of civil defence mechanisms across all states and Union territories,” the letter said.

The home ministry's order also said the exercise is expected to involve the active participation of district controllers, local authorities, civil defence wardens, volunteers, home guards (both active and reserve), members of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), and college and school students.