Civil defence mock drills to be held across Kerala, Chief Secretary issues directions

Following the Union Home Ministry's directive as Indo-Pak tensions escalate, all 14 districts in Kerala will hold civil defence mock drills on May 7. The last mock drill was held more than half a century ago, in 1971, when India went to war with Pakistan.

The drill, which will begin at 4 pm, will assess the various layers of civil defence preparedness. Kerala is most vulnerable along its 560-km coast and could also be subjected to aerial attacks. The mock drill is an attempt to alert civilians to such potential dangers and to equip them to respond and safely adapt to such emergencies.

Chief secretary, Dr A Jayathilak, has directed all district collectors to ensure the proper conduct of the mock drill. The directions were issued after he convened a high-level meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesda,y attended by senior officials in the administration (home, revenue, health and family welfare, and disaster management), police and fire and rescue.

The mock drill will not only test Kerala's institutional preparedness but will also promote awareness and response capabilities at the community and household levels. Since Kerala has long been relatively peaceful, its security mechanisms are either non-existent or have remained dysfunctional. The mock drill is an attempt to introduce Kerala to the basic, common-sense ways by which its people, functioning together, can remain collectively safe in a war-like emergency.

The plan is to intervene at two levels: community and household.

Here are five steps that will be taken at the community level. One, appointment of mock drill wardens by residents' associations and also at the ward level. Two, the civil defence blackout protocol will be distributed to all residents. Three, the public will be alerted of the drill using the loudspeaker systems of places of worship. Four, drill will be held at the ward level. Five, first aid kits will be set up in schools, basements, and large spaces like marriage or community halls. Six, community volunteers will help the vulnerable (old, ailing and children) during the blackout; during a blackout, power will be switched off.

Here are the household tasks during the mock drill. One, all lights should be put off, and, if at all, some light is required for a sudden emergency, make sure it is not seen from outside by securing the windows with thick boards or opaque curtains. Two, do not use mobiles or any light-emitting devices near windows. Three, keep battery/solar-powered torches ready. Four, when the siren is sounded at 4 pm on May 7, all buildings (houses, shops, business establishments and offices) should put off their lights. Five, there should be first aid kits in all houses. Six, find the most secure place inside the house and move all members to this place. Seven, all members of the household/office/business establishments should do the mock drill together.

Eight, there will be two sirens. The long one is the warning signal and the short siren is signal that all is fine. Nine, those at a public place at the time of the mock drill should move to the nearest building. Ten, use television or radio to get official information. Eleven, avoid a fire break out by switching off the gas connection and other electronic devices the moment the warning siren is heard.