Civil Defence Training at State & Local Levels – Perspective for improved Syllabi & Modalities for Implementation

Background Civil Defence all over the world and in India has been a government program that provides guidance and assistance in preparing for, responding to and recovering from public emergencies that result from conflict or natural disasters. Civil Defence measures are designed to deal with immediate emergency conditions, protect the public and assist the local administration in restoring vital services and facilities destroyed or damaged by disaster.

Major Tasks of Civil Defence To make sure that the public is warned of danger and provided with instructions on how to avoid hazards. Advice people to protect themselves by either evacuating the area or remain and take shelter. Organizing immediate relief to the survivors. Support emergency services –Rescue Operations –Firefighting –Law Enforcement –Medical Care –Public Works repair –Provision of voluntary Food, Shelter and Clothing. Assist in Recovery Operations –Clearance of debris –Restoring utility services –Managing relocations centers

What was the need ? The number of incidents happening during World War II were enormous & beyond the capacity of local Emergency services. There was a need for unifying the overall efforts of the country to survive a catastrophe & raise public morale.

Civil Defence included in Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts (Protocol I), 8 June 1977.

Why Civil Defence? Relatively, small investments in Preparedness against emergencies enable communities to speed up Recovery by months or years and thereby prevent millions of deaths due to hunger, weather and epidemics that may occur consequent to many major disasters. According to the human capital theory in economics, the country’s population is valued more than other factors like land, industry and wealth due to its capacity to rebuild a country after its destruction by nature’s forces. Therefore, to ensure economic stability and security of the country it is essential that a strong Civil Defence Corps is available for protection of its people.

Civil Defence builds Resilience Civil Defence has stressed on building confidence, reducing fear and uncertainty, ensure higher survival rate, assist in raising people’s quality of life that has made economic benefits feasible. The Civil Defence concept’s core objective has been to instill in people, the strength to understand that they are in control of their own destiny and well prepared for the uncertainties of the future.

The DRR Strategy India has agreed to the Hyogo Framework for Action ( ) developed by United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction which aims to build Disaster Resilient Nations & Communities

Training at NCDC The Training at NCDC has been designed to build competencies in three areas- –Awareness generation –Knowledge building –Skill Development

NCDC Training NCDC has introduced skill oriented training programmes foreseeing the strategic threat and future requirements.

NCDC Training Significant emphasis is being laid on training responders to build capacities in dealing with Nuclear, Biological, Chemical and Conventional weapons.

NCDC Training NCDC has introduced new training techniques based on advanced technical equipment for empowerment of Civil Defence trainers in dealing with natural/ technological disasters.

Specialized Training Programs Training of Trainers in Radiological & Nuclear Emergencies. Training of Trainers in Civil Defence Incident Command Management System. Chemical Disaster First Responders. Biological Incident First Responders. Medical Operations against WMD for Doctors. Advanced Search & Rescue. Flood/ Cyclone Disaster Responders. Basic Life Support TOT on Disaster Psycho-social Support Advance Life Support Earthquake Disaster Response

TRAINING METHODOLOGIES Technical Lectures Demonstrations Table Top Exercises Computer Simulation Exercises Field Exercises Performance Evaluation Exercises

Objectives of Civil Defence Training at Local & State Levels Awareness on Safety against common Hazards. Motivate to join Civil Defence. Develop Skills on Survival to become part of CD operational teams. Prepare Community volunteers to provide back-up to Emergency Services.

Awareness & Motivational Programs Local Level Topics 1.Earthquake Safety 2Transport Accidents Safety 3Elementary Fire Safety 4.Household LPG Safety 5.Emergency First Aid 6.Emergency Casualty Handling 7.CPR / FBAO Training 8.IED Safety 9.Flood & Water Safety 10.Community Risk Management. 11.Industrial Risk Management. 12.Disease Control

Skill Development Programs Local Level Program 1.Civil Defence Foundation Course 2Basic Wardens Course 3Basic Control Room Operations Course 4.Basic Search & Rescue Course 5.Basic Fire Response Course 6.Basic First Aid Course 7.Basic Recovery Operations Course 8.Basic Public Health Response Course 9.Basic Flood Safety Course

Trainer Development Programs State Level Program 1.Advanced Warden Service Course 2Basic Life Support Course 3Advanced Vertical Rescue Course 4.Collapsed Structure Search & Rescue Course 5.Volunteer Fire Fighters Course 6.Bombs Safety Course 7.CBRN First Responder Course 8.Emergency Communications Course 9.Conduct of Training Course 10.Disaster Response & Preparedness Course 11.Incident Command Course 12.Flood Rescue Operations Course

Inter-active Workshops State Level Program 1.CD Planning for Industrial Disaster Preparedness 2Civil Defence Orientation for Govt. Officers Refresher Training as per Local Risk Assessment

Conclusion The Civil Defence Training has tremendous potential to build capacities of the community and develop a Disaster Resilient nation. There is also potential to further expand the Training objectives in the future looking at the Risk & Vulnerability changes for the community.

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