Chhattisgarh plans to expand 'Civil Defense Network', nine cities to train 2,700 volunteers for emergency preparedness

RAIPUR: In the wake of heightened security awareness following ‘Operation Sindoor’ and the potential threat of enemy attacks, the Chhattisgarh government is set to ramp up its civil defense infrastructure.

After initial implementation in Durg-Bhilai, eight more cities will be designated as Civil Defense Districts, including Raipur, Korba, Raigarh, Bilaspur, Jagdalpur, Ambikapur, Janjgir-Champa, Dhamtari, and Dantewada.

Officials in police headquarters said that a decision has been taken to designate nine cities as ‘Civil Defense Districts’fordefense preparedness.

A total of 2,700 volunteers will be trained across these districts, with 300 volunteers per district. They will undergo a two-day specialized training program, equipping them with skills to respond effectively during emergency or war-like situations, focusing on civil protection duties and basic defense responsibilities.

This decision is considered a major step towards strengthening civil safety infrastructure in the state.

The Civil Defense Act, 1968 , which guides this initiative, is also acknowledged under the United Nations Charter. In 2009, the scope of the Act was expanded to include disaster management. Initially, civil defense operations were limited to Bhilai, but later, the entire Durg district was included.

Each district will train 300 civil defense volunteers, bringing the total number to 2,700 across the new zones. These volunteers will receive two days of basic training, focusing on safety protocols during wartime and emergency scenarios. The training will be repeated annually, and their records will be updated every year.

The decision was made during a high-level meeting on Sunday, chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Manoj Pingua, with participation from DGP Arundev Gautam and other senior officials from the Home Guard and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).

Volunteers will take part in mock drills and annual reviews, with district collectors overseeing recruitment and preparedness activities. Additionally, the Centre has instructed all 33 districts of Chhattisgarh to install warning sirens, with each district receiving 4 to 5 units. These will be managed by SDRF for rapid emergency communication.

Other essential communication tools such as walkie-talkies, wireless sets, megaphones, and hand mics will also be procured and tested annually during training exercises.

The state had earlier designated Raipur, Korba, Rajnandgaon, and Sukma as pilot districts for training 1,200 ‘Disaster Mitras’ (Disaster Volunteers). The government now plans to hold annual pre-monsoon sessions for them, including skill refreshers and disaster response strategies.

Anyone between the ages of 18 and 45 (with age flexibility in some states) can become a volunteer. Eligible participants may register through a formal application process handled by district collectors. Volunteers may be drawn from organizations like NCC, NSS, Scouts and Guides, or any interested citizen or NGO.

There is no upper age limit in many areas for joining as a volunteer, making it accessible to a wider segment of the population.