NEW DELHI:
Tamil Nadu is among 12 States and Union Territories selected for a pilot initiative by the Union Home Ministry to strengthen civil defence preparedness through specialised training by the Indian Army.
The programme aims to build a network of around 60,000 civil defence volunteers equipped to respond to security threats, hostile situations and emergencies. In the first phase, 600 master trainers — 50 from each participating State or Union Territory — will undergo a three-day specialised training programme at designated Army training establishments. The training is scheduled to be completed by the second week of November.
The initiative is being undertaken by the Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day announcement on developing a stronger civil defence network supported by modern systems, technology and improved preparedness.
The participating States and Union Territories are Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
The training will focus on three broad areas: awareness of potential threats, protection and emergency response, and communication and coordination. The programme is intended to improve the ability of civil defence personnel to respond effectively during emergencies and other challenging situations.
Each master trainer will subsequently be responsible for training 100 civil defence volunteers in their respective State or Union Territory. This model is expected to expand the trained volunteer network through a structured, cascading training system.
The initiative seeks to strengthen preparedness at the local level by equipping volunteers with practical skills and improving coordination among agencies. Tamil Nadu’s participation places it among the States included in the Centre’s first phase of the civil defence capacity-building programme.