In Mumbai, an added layer of preparedness as mock drill takes place amid rain

An official said that drills were carried out to show what is to be done if there is a fire in a building and how “vertical rescue” is to be undertaken for those atop the building. Fire brigades and ambulances were rushed to the spot and a mock evacuation was carried out. How to carry out rescue operations in the event of a bomb blast and even how to check radiation during a nuclear attack were also exhibited by civil defence officials.

Sachin Gawde, a banker who has been with civil defence for nearly 25 years, said that officials and volunteers undergo regular training on various aspects of security. “Now I would no longer panic in a situation where there is a fire and would know exactly what steps to take and guide the others as well,” Gawde said.

Mohammad Akram Khan, who is Gawde’s batchmate and works in the tourism sector, said, “ When the Army, Navy and Air Force are occupied with an emergency, it is the civil defence that is expected to protect civilians,” he said.

The Directorate of Civil Defence has come under the spotlight after the Centre ordered mock drills to be carried out across states. The Maharashtra unit, which has over 150 salaried officials and 10,000 volunteers, carried out mock drills at around 16 spots across the state on Wednesday.

Both the civil defence and home guards are volunteer forces set up in the late 60s in the wake of Chinese aggression in 1962 and the India-Pakistan conflict in 1965.

While home guards are supposed to be an auxiliary force to police where volunteers get uniforms and are paid around Rs 1,400 a day, civil defence members do not assist police or have a uniform and are paid Rs 150 a day.

“Most civil defence volunteers are doctors and engineers, among others, who want to give something back to society. They are primarily involved in first aid or firefighting. Our volunteers are also involved in rescue work during building collapses,” an officer said.

There are 12 sub-heads like first aid and rescue in which the volunteers are trained and given certificates.