PULWAMA, OCTOBER 17: A three-day Civil Defence Volunteers Training Programme commenced Saturday at Circuit House, Pulwama, with the objective of enhancing the preparedness, skills and response capabilities of Civil Defence volunteers for effective assistance during disasters and other emergencies.
The programme, as per an official statement, is being organised by Headquarters 12 Sector Rashtriya Rifles in collaboration with the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Pulwama, and is being conducted from October 17 to 19, 2026.
ADC/CEO, DDMA Pulwama, Dr. Sheikh Mohd Ashraf inaugurated the programme and appreciated the initiative aimed at strengthening community-level emergency preparedness.
He stressed that effective disaster response depends on trained personnel, timely action and close coordination among the administration, emergency services and community volunteers. He also highlighted the important role Civil Defence volunteers can play in assisting authorities, supporting evacuation and extending immediate assistance to affected communities during emergencies.
Under the programme, Headquarters 12 Sector Rashtriya Rifles is facilitating and conducting the training and practical demonstrations, while DDMA Pulwama is coordinating the participation of Civil Defence volunteers and contributing through its disaster-management expertise and resource persons.
The training covers key aspects of Civil Defence, emergency response, search and rescue, evacuation procedures, safety measures, and the roles and responsibilities of volunteers during disaster situations.
As part of the practical component, personnel of 12 Sector Rashtriya Rifles conducted demonstrations and hands-on training for the participants. Volunteers were familiarised with emergency-response equipment, rescue techniques and procedures relevant to different emergency scenarios.
Specialized sessions are also being conducted by trainers and personnel from SDRF, Fire & Emergency Services, Police Department and DDMA Pulwama, providing participants with practical and operational knowledge relating to disaster management and emergency response.
The sessions also focused on how Civil Defence volunteers can effectively support the administration and specialised agencies at the community level.
A specialised awareness session by a representative of 44 Rashtriya Rifles focused on CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) hazards and hazardous environments. The session covered the classification of chemical agents, associated symptoms and indicators, preventive and protective measures, and immediate protective actions in the event of exposure.
The session also covered biological warfare awareness and protective measures, with emphasis on recognising potential hazards, adopting immediate protective action and following established safety protocols.
A search-and-rescue training video was also screened to familiarise participants with rescue operations, evacuation procedures and coordinated action during emergencies and high-risk situations.
The three-day programme is aimed at developing a pool of trained, disciplined and responsive Civil Defence volunteers capable of providing timely assistance to the administration and specialised emergency-response agencies when required. The volunteers will be provided participation certificates after the culmination of the training programme.
The programme carries the message of “Preparedness Saturday, Resilience Tomorrow,” underlining the importance of building practical response capabilities before an emergency occurs.
The programme was attended by Colonel Rohit Kumar Singh of 12 Sector Rashtriya Rifles, Major D.S. Rana of 55 Rashtriya Rifles, Malangpora, besides officers and personnel from the Police Department, SDRF, Fire & Emergency Services, DDMA Pulwama and other participating agencies.
