CIVIL DEFENCE NEEDS TO BE STRENGHTEND IN GOA

 By John Aguiar

former Information Officer, DIP Shri John Aguiar who was also Hon. Company Home Guards and PRO Goa Police.

Despite several advancements, technology has potential to fail and hence, in disaster situations, the force of trained men is of utmost importance and use. The importance of having civilians prepared to mitigate disasters was crucial. For this purpose training in Civil Defence is important.

Ex NCC cadets who are a trained manpower can be utilized as volunteers of Civil Defence for better performance. He said today’s life presents many situations that has potential to wreak a havoc. There was danger of earthquakes, floods or any other natural calamity. Besides, there were threats arising out of chemical, biological ,radiological and nuclear stockpiles. In addition to this there are threats from Pandemics and epidemics. The Intergovernmental panel on Climate change (IPCC) has predicted that by the year 2100, total of 5,764 sq. km. of India’s coastal area may be submerged under sea. If this happens, it will trigger massive migration to hinterland that may further lead to a new set of issues.

Against this backdrop, it is imperative that people are trained in Civil Defence. For Citizens are first responders to any disaster—natural or manmade. A trained Civil Defence volunteer knows about survival in different situations  and helps others  in a better informed manner. This can save lives and also aid in dealing with disaster situations.

Civil Defence involves measures for preparation for assistance to individuals, groups, Communities in need of  immediate relief as a result of natural or man-made events. The assistance includes services rendered for search and rescue, fire- fighting, medical aid and public health, welfare, communication, training etc.

The Civil Defence organization needs to  be strengthened and life infused in the set up for better performance. The Wardens set up also requires to be reconstituted. The then Superintendent of Police Shri Bosco George, IPS was vibrant and had initiated steps to infuse new life in the organisations unfortunately he was posted out to Arunachal Pradesh. I am in touch with Senior officers of the Civil Defence organsiation in the Ministry of Home Affairs, former Director of National Civil Defence organsation Shri G. S. Saini, VSM, so also Controllers, Dy. Controllers of several states.

The core objective of civil defence is to instill in people the strength to survive the impacts of emergencies and mobilize in  large numbers to assist the administration in ensuring faster recovery and early return to normalcy.