Shillong, Apr 20: A Civil Defence air raid and blackout mock drill titled, ‘Armex-I’ will be conducted by the Directorate of Civil Defence & Home Guards across Meghalaya in the interest of national security, officials said.
According to a statement, the exercise is part of the nation’s civil defence preparedness for protection and safeguarding of civilian lives during conflict and wars with the aim of generating public awareness and preparedness.
The exercise will be conducted on April 24 involving all stakeholders such as the Air Force, Army, Police, SDRF, Home Guards, Civil Defence Wardens & Volunteers, Fire & Emergency Services, Health Department, Power Department, SDMA, DDMA, DIPR, dorbar shnongs and traditional village bodies, NCC, NSS, NYKS and others.
The mock exercise will be conducted in two stages, consisting of simulations on search and rescue operations, fire response, evacuation and medical response from 3 pm to 4 pm. Simulation of air raid sirens and blackout will be covered under stage two, to commence from 6:59 pm to 7: 02 pm.
In both the stages, the civil defence siren will be sounded in all districts.
The public have been urged to take part in the blackout exercise by switching off their lights, inverters and all sources of illuminations for two minutes as a mock practice.
