To ensure better security and create a sense of unity among people in the neighbourhood, the Civil Defence launched the Area Suraksha Mitra (ASM) last year and the response to the initiative has been overwhelming. Jija Madhavan Harisingh, director, civil defence spoke to Bosky Khanna on the issue.
Why was ASM set up?
The main purpose of setting up ASM was to create a safer neighbourhood. The underlined principle is to evoke a sense of neighbourly feeling in today’s urbanities, akin to olden days. ASM is a part of the 1968 Civil Defence Act. Its responsibilities include establishing relationship with local police to share area information, report suspicious objects, people or any untoward incidents, attend periodic mock drills, give general advice on civil defence to area residents and help recruit volunteers.
What has been the response to ASM?
ASM was formally launched on December 6 last and the response has been overwhelming. We need 6,200 sector wardens and presently have recruited 3,500. There is a need for 80,000 volunteers and in one year, 50,000 have been recruited. There is also a need for 50 divisional officers, but so far 27 have been appointed after police verification. We hope that we will achieve the target by March, next year. We are reaching and impacting the critical masses with the help of Janaagraha, an NGO.
Who all are joining ASM?
People from all walks of life, be it businessmen, IT professionals, students, retired army and police officials, architects and women, have joined ASM. Ideally the minimum age for hiring people into civil defence is 18 years and above, but in some cases the commanding general makes an exception to accommodate NCC and NSS volunteers. Recently, two 15-year-old boys came to the training office in Ulsoor. Though shy, they were determined to join civil defence and also had letters to visit the office for verification and interview. So they were selected as wardens.
Why are women apprehensive of joining civil defence?
Women are apprehensive because of family and personal reasons. Civil defence does not hire people on gender basis. Anyone who has time and interest should join.
What sort of training is imparted to them?
They are trained in casualty management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), fire and emergency, watermenship and boating. People have also been trained at the National Civil Defence College in Nagpur and National Institute of Disaster Management in New Delhi. They are also trained in the Training to Trainers (ToT) course.
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