“National Civil Defence Cadet Corps” The alternative for Educational Institutions

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

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

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

CD Corps The Amendment of the Civil Defence Act, 1968 As per the Civil Defence Regulations notified by the Central Government under the Civil Defence Act, 1968 Clause 3 (b) a provision has been made to relax the age limit upto 15 years of age by the Competent Authority for induction into the Civil Defence Corps.

Why NCDCC ? The lack of knowledge on personal safety. Need to bridge time-lag in arrival of emergency services. Increase in potential threat from multiple hazards. Low awareness on public safety measures.

NCDCC The National Civil Defence College will prepare a three weeks induction program for School Teachers in order to prepare them as Trainers of National Civil Defence Cadet Corps in their respective Schools. The Trainers will then be vested with the responsibility to train Student Cadets in their schools in the age group of years with survival skills as well as skills to organize immediate Search & Rescue, Fire Fighting, Flood Rescue, Basic Life Support and Psycho-Social Support.

NCDCC The concept can further be implemented at College levels too with provision of incentives for joining the NCDCC. The NCDCC will also overcome the legal complications of utilizing NCC Cadets as ample protection for volunteers exist under the CD Act, 1968.

The Future Outlook The NCDC has been receiving request from National & Multinational Companies for training their executives in basic life safety measures in order to build capacities for business continuity All future organizations are looking forward to offering opportunities to those possessing special skills in addition to academics

Road Ahead All Schools to designate a teacher to work as honorary officer and undergo training at NCDC. The honorary officer to select 30 students from schools to act as cadet lieutenants This team to assist school in conduct of emergency drills as well as train new students Support for the civil defence team to be shared by school as well as authorities.

Outcome Building trust between parents and school personnel. It will build trust and reassure parents and teachers about your respectful and careful approach to the children’s well-being. By this we shall ensure the continuity of follow-up even in our absence. It also emphasizes the “We-are-all–in-this-together” attitude for disaster preparedness.

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