18 Gujarat district to hold mock drills on May 7, here’s step-by-step process

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, has given instructions to organize a Civil Defense Mock Drill on May 7. Under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and in the presence of Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi, a video conference was held with the officers of all the districts on Tuesday evening to review all the preparations.

The mock drills in Gujarat will take place on May 7 (Wednesday) between 4 pm to 8 pm, with blackout between 7.30 pm and 8 pm.

The meeting also reviewed the preparations electricity, fire, forest, PWD, medical, revenue, collectorate, and police department, in presence of Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi, ACS Home M K Das and DGP Vikas Sahay.

Things to do during mock drill, as directed Gujarat’s home minister–

When a warning is given, citizens should remain alert and understand two types of sirens. In which (1) Warning signal: A long siren will sound indicating a possible air attack. (2) All clear signal: A short and steady siren indicates that the danger has passed.

As an immediate civil response in any emergency situation, all external activities should be stopped immediately and assistance should be given to the elderly, children and disabled citizens. In addition, the use of lifts should be avoided and stairs should be used during evacuation.

During blackout, switch off or cover all the lights in homes, offices and vehicles. Use blackout curtains or heavy cloth to prevent light leakage. Avoid using mobile phones or flashlights near windows.

Follow official instructions given by civil defence officials through radio or advertisements, do not spread rumours or misinformation and provide help and guidance to neighbours who are unaware of the procedures.

Sanghavi also requested the citizens not to panic, stating that the mock drill is just for the preparation.

List of districts where mock drills will be held–

]Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara, Bharuch (Ankleshwar), Tapi (Kakrapar), Surat, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Devbhumi Dwarka (Okha, Vadinar), Kutch-East (Gandhidham), Kutch-West (Bhuj, Naliya) and Patan, Banaskantha, Gir Somnath and Morbi.

Step-by-step process for the mock drill–

According to the general principles of Civil Defence, there are a total of 12 different types of services, which will actively participate in such a situation, which includes trained wardens/volunteers of Civil Defence, said Sanghavi.

–Indian Air Force sends secret message to Civil Defence through hotline

–​​Civil Defence/Aware Citizens help citizens as first responders through siren/SMS.

–Civil Defence Aware Citizens will inform citizens about airstrikes through SMS.

—Firefighters help evacuate citizens from the site and medical team provides treatment in the field.

–PWD helps in removing debris and dilapidated buildings and cleans the site.

–Forest Department staff is working to evacuate animals from the battle sites.

–Home Guards will maintain law and order with the help of police.

–Revenue officers will monitor.

–In the overall situation, the entire action is taken under the supervision of the District Collector.

–Police department has to maintain law and order in such a situation.

–General public including students will be trained by Civil Defence, SDRF and SRP to sensitize and spread awareness.

–Village Sarpanches will also be given proper guidance.

After the Chinese invasion in 1962, the Government of India, like other countries, has started the Civil Defence system in India from the year 1963.

The main objective of this system is to protect the lives and property of the people during the war, to maintain the morale of the people on the home front, to protect the people from rumors and to see that the process of industrial production and supplies continue. Over time, the scope of civil defence activities has been expanded.

In times of peace, during natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, storms and man-made (unnatural) disasters such as communal riots, major fires, major accidents, the officers/employees of the Civil Defence system and honorary officers/volunteers of Civil Defence remain present and perform their duty to the people.