A citizen's guide to safety, preparedness and participation

I served as DG Civil Defence in 2005-2006 in Delhi. It was my duty to train the youth and able-bodied in Civil Defence.

- KIRAN BEDI

We created the concept of 'Yellow Alert' on the lines of 'Red Alert' of Police.

Then we were not at war. Yet we trained and rehearsed for emergencies.

We are at war on terror.

We are in an era of complete uncertainty which demands eternal vigilance and preparedness.

Hence Civil Defence demands a fully shared civic responsibility, for self-protection and national security.

No wonder the Government of India is planning to immediately move to mobilise and strengthen its civil defence mechanism and security and anti-cyber warfare apparatus across the country. It is gathered that more than six categories of civil defence volunteering mechanisms, from Bharat Scouts and Guides to National Cadet Corps, over one lakh 'Aaapda Mitras' Yuva Mitras, Home Guards, NSS, besides the National Youth Corps, of the Nehru Yuvak Kendra Sanghatan, will get collaborated with to ensure readiness and emergency response.

All this will require seamless coordination for operational resilience.

India's Civil Defence system is guided by the Civil Defence Act of 1968 and its accompanying rules and regulations, empowers government agencies and ordinary citizens to prepare for and respond to life-threatening emergencies.

Hence Civil Defence mock drills are the most effective tools in this preparedness effort, as they simulate disaster scenarios to train civilians in critical survival actions.

What Is Civil Defence?

Civil defence refers to organised, non-military efforts to protect civilians and infrastructure during emergencies such as: