Lucknow, June 1: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath reviewed the Civil Defense Department on Sunday. He emphasized that the role of civil defense extends beyond wartime situations. It is crucial for disaster management, relief operations, public awareness, community engagement, and rapid response in emergencies.
The Chief Minister stated that the department’s capabilities in areas like relief and rescue, firefighting, first aid, and disaster management need to be further enhanced. He directed officials to train volunteers according to modern requirements and to involve more people in disaster management and civil defense activities.
He also highlighted the importance of training provided by retired army personnel. With the current holiday season, he suggested integrating NCC and NSS volunteers into civil defense training, including CPR and first aid. The Chief Minister stressed the need for using sirens to raise public awareness before disasters occur.
During the meeting, it was noted that the Civil Defense was established in 1962 after the India-China war, with the Civil Defense Act coming into effect in 1968. The amended Civil Defense Act of 2009 assigned responsibilities for pre-disaster, during-disaster, and post-disaster activities to the department. Currently, the department is engaged in vital tasks such as relief and rescue, damage mitigation, firefighting, first aid, and safe evacuation of stranded individuals.
The Chief Minister praised the department’s public awareness and training initiatives, stating that a trained and informed society is essential for effective disaster response. The meeting revealed that the Civil Defense Department is training volunteers in firefighting, search and rescue, and first aid. Special programs are being conducted to prepare schools, colleges, NCC, NSS, railways, key institutions, and security forces as ‘first responders.’
It was reported that under the Government of India’s ‘Scheme for Training and Capacity Building of Civil Defense in States,’ approximately 5,000 wardens and volunteers have been trained across 17 districts in the state. Additionally, 72,438 students have received basic training in civil defense. Furthermore, 7,502 home guard volunteers and 4,633 citizens have been trained in disaster management courses. A total of 6,695 volunteers have been trained in various civil defense services, including warden service, firefighting, and first aid. The Chief Minister instructed to make the training system more effective.
The meeting also highlighted that civil defense units have been established in all districts, with district magistrates designated as controllers of civil defense. In newly created districts, 61 new sub-controller positions and 60 new assistant sub-controller positions have been created. The duty and training allowances for civil defense volunteers have been increased. Recruitment proposals for various vacant positions have been sent to the Uttar Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Commission. Approximately 7,500 volunteers have been recruited in 60 newly created districts, and their training process is underway.
The Chief Minister directed to expedite the recruitment process for vacant positions in the department. Reviewing future plans, he instructed that major civil defense projects in newly created districts be finalized promptly and that volunteer recruitment be completed as needed. He emphasized providing newly appointed volunteers with modern training and necessary equipment to handle various types of disasters. Large-scale mock drills should be conducted at least twice a year in each civil defense district, involving all stakeholders.
The Chief Minister stated that the Civil Defense Department should be developed into a strong, modern, and capable institution in the fields of public safety and disaster management. He directed timely implementation of departmental plans and proposals, aiming to enhance the capacity, efficiency, and number of civil defense volunteers to strengthen the state’s disaster response system.
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