What is the Nationwide Mock Drill Happening Today?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Nationwide mock drill across 244 locations.
- Focus on citizen emergency preparedness.
- Involvement of key officials and volunteers.
- Training on vital survival skills and first aid.
- Assessment of emergency response systems.
New Delhi, May 7 (NationPress) Today, a comprehensive mock drill will take place across 244 locations nationwide to enhance citizens' preparedness for emergency scenarios, arming them with crucial survival techniques during potential attacks. This large-scale operation will encompass all states and union territories, reaching both urban areas and rural populations.
Key participants will include important figures such as District Collectors, along with Civil Defence Volunteers, Home Guards, members from the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), as well as students from schools and colleges. The objective of this drill is to train individuals on effective protective strategies during emergencies while evaluating the responsiveness of attack alerts and control room operations.
This initiative is mandated under Section 19 of the Civil Defence Act, 1968, and is a directive from the Central Government aimed at ensuring adherence to civil security protocols, thereby safeguarding public welfare during attacks or disasters.
The exercise will kick off with the sound of an air raid siren, indicating a simulated attack. These sirens will be strategically positioned at police stations, high-rise buildings, hospitals, and educational institutions. Upon hearing the alert, citizens will be directed to designated safe zones, such as bunkers, basements, or structurally fortified buildings.
Teachers will supervise the safe evacuation of students to protected areas within schools. Government officials, including collectors and civil defence officers, will collaboratively assess the drill's effectiveness. Should the siren malfunction or if evacuation procedures lag, corrective actions will be formulated to improve response strategies.
Training will encompass vital survival techniques, including finding shelter, correct body positioning during air raids, and protecting the head and torso.
Moreover, participants will practice providing first aid to simulated casualties and learn to maintain composure under pressure. A simulated blackout will be enacted by shutting off city and building lights to reduce risks from enemy surveillance or aerial threats at night. Residents will be instructed to turn off lights in their homes, shops, and offices as part of precautionary measures.
Future drills will concentrate on concealing critical sites—military installations, power stations, mobile towers, and railway hubs—using natural and artificial covers like foliage, nets, and camouflage materials to avoid detection by satellites or aerial surveillance. Evacuation rehearsals will also be conducted to promptly relocate individuals from high-risk zones to safe shelters.
In addition to tactical responses, citizens will receive instructions on fire suppression, managing medical emergencies, administering first aid, and ensuring access to vital food and water supplies. These thorough preparations aim to equip the public with essential survival skills, fostering resilience against potential conflicts.