Bhubaneswar to witness civil defence mock drill on May 7; Fire Services DIG appeals for public cooperation

In an effort to enhance the nation's readiness to respond effectively to potential emergencies, the Central Government has directed all states and Union Territories to conduct a coordinated civil defence mock drill on Wednesday, May 7. The nationwide exercise aims to test and improve preparedness measures against any hostile threat or attack scenario.

Civil defence mock drill will also be conducted in Bhubaneswar tomorrow, informed Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Fire Services, Uma Shankar Dash on Tuesday.

“A mock drill will be conducted in Bhubaneswar tomorrow by the civil defence volunteers. The mock drill will be held at 4 pm tomorrow in view of the war-like situation and with an objective to ensure protection of human lives. Various agencies, police, fire and other volunteers will participate in the mock drill. The main objective is to ensure that in case of any air-raid and bombing how people should react and respond to such a situation,” said Dash.

Advice To People

According to Dash, people should immediately look for a safe shelter after hearing the sirens. Tomorrow, after the siren blows, people should immediately go to the designated places. Some drills regarding fire and other damages caused due to explosions will also be conducted. It is just to judge our preparedness, and we urge people to cooperate in the mock drill, he said.

Bhubaneswar city has been considered sensitive, and hence mock drill will be conducted from 4 pm to 4:30 pm tomorrow. Fire stations at 12 places will swing into action. For slum dwellers, clear instructions and places have been identified as safe shelters, Dash added.

Why Mock Drills Are Important?

The proposed mock drills are critical components of emergency management strategies. During such exercises, officials and volunteers simulate real-life crisis situations, such as evacuation procedures, emergency medical response, lockdown implementation, and crowd management. These rehearsals help identify gaps in coordination, assess infrastructure readiness, and enhance the response capabilities of all stakeholders involved.

Also Read: Nationwide mock drill on May 7: Do’s & Don’ts and 10 things to keep in mind during civil defence exercise

The Ministry of Home Affairs has emphasized the importance of proactive training to ensure that local authorities, emergency services, and the general public are equipped to handle emergencies swiftly and efficiently. The upcoming drill will serve as a unified platform to assess the nation's civil defence mechanisms, improve inter-agency coordination, and raise public awareness about safety protocols.

All states and UTs have been asked to ensure full participation and submit reports on the outcomes and learnings from the mock drill.