Revitalizing Civil Defence

50 Glorious Years of Voluntary Service to the Nation

West Bengal Civil Defence Organization

The Civil Defence set up in the State started functioning just after Indo-China war 1962. Initially all the border areas of the State and Industrial belt of West Bengal declared by the Central Authority as Civil Defence areas. But after the Bangladesh liberation war many of the areas were declared as non-CD areas. According to the latest circular, vide G.O.  I/MHA No. VIII-11011/3/86-DGCD(CD) dated 10.07.87 as revised on 29.08.95, the following areas of West Bengal were declared as CD Category –I areas:  Greater Calcutta, Howrah, Hooghly & 24-Parganas, Mourigram, Durgapur & Andal, Siliguri, Bagdogra and New Jalpaiguri), Haldia, Hashimara, Kharagpur where as Kalaikunda, Burnpur & Asansol, Farakka & Khejuria Ghat. Chittaranjan, Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling were declared as category-II areas.

During the war against Pakistan in 1965 and Bangladesh liberation war in 1971, the CD Organisation worked effectively by mobilising trained volunteers and by boosting the morale of the people. The local CD officers played a vital role in the functioning of refugee camps set up in different parts of West Bengal for the refugees of Bangladesh. Civil Defence services were also effectively engaged in management of flood, water logging, building collapse and railway accident etc.

Presently all the 18 districts and Kolkata area are under CD areas. Recently the Govt. of West Bengal included Bankura as CD district. We have all the services starting from Communication Service, Warden Service, Casualty Service, Rescue Service, Welfare Service, Supply Service, Depot & Transport Service & Training Service.

The CD Organaisation in the state, operational part, is headed by Director of Civil Defence, an IPS office in the rank of ADGP with office at 81/2/2 Phears Lane, Kolkata-700012. The Controller Kolkata, initially an IPS office in the rank of DIG has been replaced by an IAS officer with the introduction of Collectorate system for Kolkata. The entire Kolkata Civil Defence is divided into three Sub-Areas i.e. South, North, Central headed by Dy. Controller in the rank of Executive Magistrate. 

Strength and Capabilities of Civil Defence in West Bengal

Civil Defence Volunteers Strength in West Bengal:

Total CD Volunteers enrolled  since inception Enrolled in last

Two Years

18 - Districts 97581 25000

Kolkata 9068 3641

Total 106589 28641

WWCD, WBCEF and WBNVF :

  Civil Defence Organisation , West Bengal has two wings having its set up more or less on battalion pattern namely 

  Water Wing Civil Defence and (WWCD)

  West Bengal Civil Emergency Force (WBECF)

  And other wing namely West Bengal National Volunteer Force (WBNVF) is fully on Battalion pattern.

  All these three wings are permanent bodies 

West Bengal Civil Emergency Force:

  WBCEF was raised in Feb, 1967 and stationed at Howrah Maidan Camp.

  The 2nd Company of the Force was raised in November, 1968 and was stationed at Belur Housing Estate.

  The sanctioned strength of WBCEF is given below:- 

 One Commandant, 

 One Dy. Commandant, 

 One Medical Officer, 

 Two Company Commanders, 

 Three Asst. Company Commanders,

 34 Platoon Commanders, 

 101 Section Commanders,  

 393 Agragamies, 

 2 Despatch Riders, 

 4 Barbers, 

 4 Dhobis, 

 12 Sweepers.

Nature of Duty:

  Rescue and relief operation during flood and water related disaster in flood prone districts of West Bengal (In 1981 they also undertook the same duties in Orissa and in the years 1983 to 1987 during flood in Assam) and during Gangasagar Mela every year.  

  Fire Fighting duty under supervision of WBFS (Stephen Court fire accident-2009, AMRI fire accident-2012, Surya Sen market fire accident-2013 etc.)

  Hospital duty at different hospitals of Kolkata under supervision of concerned Medical Officers during strike and emergency.

  Kolkata Corporation duty and Kolkata port duty during strike and emergency.

  Bengal Thermal Plant duty during strike and emergency.

  R/T transmission and operation duty under supervision of Irrigation Department.

Water Wing Civil Defence:

  Started functioning in the year 1978 during devastating flood with the help of 332 boats and OBMs 

  Sanctioned posts, rank wise, is  given below:- 

 One Commandant, 

 One Dy. Commandant, 

 Two Company Commanders

 8 Asst. Company Commander

 25 Platoon  Commanders

 484 Agragami 

 Technical Supervisor-1

 Foremen-2

 Mechanics-12

 Accountant-1

 LDC-1

 Peon-1 

Nature of Duty:

  Rescue and relief operation in flood prone districts of West Bengal (In 1981 they also undertook the same duties in Orissa and in the years 1983-86 during flood in Assam). 

  They rescued the students of Artificial Limb Manufacturing Corporation Ltd. from their hostel, near Cuttack, at mid night. This was highly appreciated by the Orissa Govt.

  To ensure safety and security of pilgrims during Gangasagar Mela, Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Jagadhatri Puja, Saraswati Puja, immersion, Mela, etc. every year

  The people in general still remember the rescue and salvage work by the personnel of this Organisation when launch ‘Ma Avaya’ capsized  in the year 1994, accident of trawler ‘Ma Sarojini’ in the year 1995. 

  In addition WWCD take part in Swimming competition  during Gangotsav at Diamond Harbour, Murshidabad Utsavat- Berhampur, 

  Apart from water related rescue and salvage duties they performed rescue and relief  duties  at Entally & Tangra area in Kolkata during the Riots of 1992, during the Train accident at Lake Gardens Station, the collapse of Kundalia buildings at Collins Lane in 1993, the collapse of Sibalik Apartment in 1995 and during the Bomb explosion at Bowbazar in 1993. 

  They also engaged in Wireless transmission duty. Transmitted flood warning message through various R.T. stations in Jalpaiguri & Cooch Behar districts under the Irrigation Deptt.  

  The WWCD personnel imparted training to the members of Meghalaya Police, Excise Deptt. and Rapid Action Force on rescue operation.

  Polling booth duties  are also  performed by the personnel  during the elections. 

Standing Order for WBECF and WWCD:

As per standing Order the members of WWCD & WBCEF have been deployed in the flood prone districts of West Bengal in order  to tackle emergency flood, rescue and relief operation duty on and from 1st June, and  continue up to 31st October, every year. The deployment is made in 3 batches each of 45 days duration.

National Volunteers Force (NVF):

  The WBNVF organisation was setup after 1947 as a non-official organisation under the name and style of “Bangiya Jatiya Bahini” – with the passing of the WBNVF Act, 1949, the organisation came under the control of Home Defence Department, Govt. of West Bengal with effect from 01.4.1949. 

  The main objective of raising this Force was to impart Military training to youth, especially in the rural areas of West Bengal so that they could respond to the service of the country in maintaining essential services during the time of emergencies. 

  The NVF organisation has been declared permanent by the Govt. of West Bengal on 22.12.1961

  NVF organisation has came under the Civil Defence Department on 12.3.2007 vide notification no 2280-HD/1E-52/59.

  The role of NVF has been changed. They now work side by side with the police to lessen the burden of their work in maintaining Law & Order duty and other borrowing authorities for guarding of valued Govt. properties including vital installation places and persons throughout the State of West Bengal.

  There is a State Commandant as the Head of the Organization, office at Kalyani, working under the supervision of Director of Civil Defence.

  There are four training centre 

  Kalyani 

  Halisahar 

  Cooch-Behar

  Kurseong 

  Raising of 1st Biswakarma Battalion: A Battalion named and styled as “Bangiya Agragami Dal” was raised on 01.9.1952 comprising of 4 Companies (301 each) with HQ at Durgapur. This was reorganised in 1955 as “First Biswakarma Battalion”.

  Raising of 2nd Biswakarma Battalion: A similar Battalion named and styled as ‘” 2nd Biswakarma Battalion” was raised on 01.4.1983 comprising 3 Companies with HQ at kalyani.

  Raising of District Battalion: 18 Districts Battalions with offices in each district have been raised under the Company Commandant to supervise the administration of district Battalion office and to assist the DM & Chief District Commandant of the District. 

Regional Civil Defence Control Centre (RCDCC):

  Regional Civil Defence Control Centre (RCDCC),  Kolkata formerly known as Regional Warning Centre (RWC) was established in 1963 in the wake of Chinese aggression.

  In our State there are three RCDCCs at Kolkata, Siliguri and Hasimara.

  The Region covered by the Kolkata are the southern part of West Bengal, whole of Odisha and Jharkhand. 

  RCDCCs are defunct now. 

  Few old siren installed in Kolkata is working.

  E-tendering is done for Wireless Automated Siren System (WARS) to replace the old and defunct siren system.

  Need to be replaced the defunct RCDCC by advance, fast, reliable and cost effective system.

Training imparted to the CD Volunteers:

At Districts and Kolkata Sub-Areas At CCDTI

 Civil Defence Foundation Course (Local Level)  Conduct of training Course

 Basic Wardens’ Course (Local Level)  Advance Warden Service Course

 Modern Equipments Training

 Advance Vertical Rescue Course

 Basic Life Support Course

 Flood Rescue operation Course

 Collapse Structure, Search and Rescue Course

 Volunteers Fire Fighter Course

 Emergency Communication Course

 Chemical, Biological, Radiological Nuclear – First Responder Course.

 Bomb Safety Course.

 Incident Command Course.

 

Awareness Camp on Disaster management and Civil Defence in Colleges, Schools, Community Centers etc.  Disaster Response and preparedness Course

 Community Oriented Policing Service(COPS) Training.

Civil Defence Services:

  Headquarters service

  Communication Service 

  Warden Service

  Casualty Service

  Fire-Fighting Service

  Training Service

  Rescue Service

  Depot & Transport Service

  Supply Service

  Salvage Service

  Welfare Service

  Corpse Disposal Service 

Action Plan for the next 6 (Six) Months:

1. Enrolment Drive all over West Bengal:

In an attempt to make the Civil Defence Organisation in the State, hitherto limited to CD Towns only, more broad-based and to take it down to the grass roots level and, most significantly, to ensure that the community becomes an effective first responder in the event of any natural / manmade calamity / disaster, the following procedures have already been initiated :-

 All the D.M. & Controllers of Civil Defence have been asked to ensure that 

A) In every Municipal Town:

 20 volunteers are to be enrolled per Ward. 

 In addition there would be 2 Sector Wardens and 1 Post Warden per Ward who would report to a Deputy Divisional Warden in the Ward. 

 Deputy Divisional Wardens would report to a Divisional Warden who would head a contiguous area covering 4-5 Wards. 

B) In every Corporation: 

 50 volunteers are enrolled per Ward.

 In addition there would be 2 Sector Wardens and 1 Post Warden per Ward who   would report to a Deputy Divisional Warden in the Ward.

 Deputy Divisional Wardens would report to a Divisional Warden who would head a contiguous area covering 2-3 Wards. 

C) In Every Panchayat:  

 Should have 12 volunteers, 2 Sector Wardens and 1 Post Warden.

 2-3 GPs would be under a Deputy Divisional Warden  

 There would be one Divisional Warden in each Block who would report to the BDO cum Asst.  Controller of Civil Defence . 

 All the Deputy Divisional Wardens would report to the Divisional Warden. 

2. Formation of QUICK RESPONCE TEAMS (QRT):

  It has been noticed that lot of time passes before rescue and search teams can reach the spot.  This happens primarily on account of the fact that there are no dedicated personnel who could be pressed into service at short notice as well as lack of appropriate equipment. It is necessary to have a dedicated team of personnel for deployment with modern equipments. 

  These should be barrack based to enable ready deployment at short notice. 

  Adequate quantum of suitable equipment of appropriate quality. 

Equipments in a Civil Defence Rescue Vehicle (CDRV):

In these CDRVs, provision has been made for carrying all the necessary Rescue & Personnel Protective Equipments including a Generator set in addition to 30 officers and men as a part of Quick Response Teams(QRTs). 

All the above mentioned equipment is permanently loaded in the vehicle in the specially designed compartments. As a result the CDRV can move out for rescue work at very short notice. This very effective intervention at the primary level itself can take care of most eventualities that a district administration may have to face. 

Officer-in-Charge of QRT at District Level

The Controllers of Civil Defence shall appoint one of the Senior S.O.I.s as the Officer–in-Charge of the QRTs, and the equipment thereof. This officer shall be responsible for the QRTs being in perfect condition and for their effective deployment.

QRT in District Level and

An unit of 40 personnel along with 

 One fully equipped CDRV  

 One Mini CDRV

 One Jeep and 

 One Motor Cycle 

is made available in each District HQrs. to enable the DM & Controller of Civil Defence to effectively tackle in minimum time as first responder  any calamity/disaster that may strike his District. 

QRT in Sub-Division Level

A unit of 20 personnel would be deployed in one of the outlying and vulnerable subdivision along with

 One Mini CDRV and 

 One Motor Cycle 

to enable further decentralisation  of effective intervention. This shall be taken up in the 2nd phase and as part of the roll out. 

QRT in Hill Areas

As a CDRV shall be difficult to operate in the Hills, deployment of CDRV may not be possible in Darjeeling, which shall be located in Siliguri. In cases of extreme emergencies, Darjeeling Hills may be catered to by this CDRV. However, to ensure appropriate coverage for the 3 hill subdivisions of Darjeeling hills, it is proposed to have 4 Mini CDRVs, with 2 stationed in Darjeeling and the other 2 at Kalimpong and Kurseong, with higher level of support equipment and 1 Mini CDRV  at Siliguri. Each Mini CDRV shall be supported by 20 personnel. There shall also be a Jeep each for Darjeeling as well as Siliguri, and a Motor Cycle for each of the 4 sub -divisions. 

QRT in Kolkata

To enable the Collector for Kolkata & Controller of Civil Defence to effectively tackle any calamity/disaster that may strike his District, a unit of 40 personnel  along with 1 CDRV shall be available for deployment with his office and 20 personnel along with one fully equipped Mini CDRV along with a Jeep and 1 Motor Cycle should be made available in each Sub Area.

Reserve QRT

  There would be reserves along with the 2 available CDRVs at Kolkata along with 1 Trauma Ambulance along with suitably trained staff under the control of the Director, Civil Defence for centralised deployment in case of emergencies. 

  Similarly reserves in man and equipment  in the form of 1 CDRV and 1 Trauma Ambulance would be available for deployment in the North Bengal and Paschimanchal area at Siliguri and Asansol  respectively under the control of the Director, Civil Defence. 

CDRVs for QRT:

In order to minimise response time in the event of any disaster striking in all over West Bengal covering all the 19 Districts including Kolkata. The following CDRVs and Personal Protective Equipments(PPE) have been procured. All these CDR vehicles sent to the garage for fabrication to place PPE inside each CDRV as per scale. Necessary fund for these purposes allotted and received from Disaster Management Department.

Scale of Rescue & PPEs in each Heavy CDRV and Mini CDRV:

Sl. No. Name of PPE Units

1 Fluorescent Orange Reflective ID Jacket -10nos 25/10

2 Heavy duty working gloves – 5nos 05

3 Life Jacket with reflective panels 05

4 FRP Industrial safety Helmet with chin strap(without visor) 10

5 FRP Industrial safety Helmet with chin strap with Visor 02

6 FRP Industrial safety Helmet with chin strap with LED Light 02

7 Disposable Mask 20/10

8 Circular Saw with 1 diamond blade and 1 abrasive blade 01

9 Bullet Chain Saw

01

10 Hand held rechargeable Search Light with 2 charger 02

11 Telescopic 40 ft. Aluminium ladder in double extension 01

12 Semi-Static Kernmentle Rope (100 mtr. roll) 11 m.m.dia 01

13 Seat Harness Adjustable 01

14 Screw Carabineer 04

15 Quick draw with 2 Carabineers 04

16 Stop Lock descending 01

17 Tandem pully 02

18 Fixe Pully 02

19 Foot Tape Sling 150 cm 02

20 Ascender new manual left and right 01

21 Sledge Hammer 01

22 Fire-Axe 02/01

23 Spade 5 ft. 02/01

24 Shovel 10” D-handle 04/02

25 Crowbar 5 ft. 04/02

26 Fibre Rescue Stretcher with Belt and Canvas Stretcher 03

27 Blanket  (Woollen) 02

28 First Aid Box 02/01

29 Mega Phone Shoulder Sling Type 02/01

30 Giri-Giri 01

Allocation of CDR Vehicles:

Sl.No. Name of the district Big CDRV Small CDRV

1 South 24-Parganas 1 1

2 North 24-Parganas 1 1

3 Hooghly 1 1

4 Howrah 1 1

5 Burdwan 1 2

6 Birbhum 1 1

7 Bankura 1 1

8 Purulia 1 1

9 Purba Medinipur 1 1

10 Paschim Medinipur 1 1

11 Malda 1 1

12 Uttar Dinajpur 1 1

13 Dakshin Dinajpur 1 1

14 Darjeeling 0 4

15 Jalpaiguri 1 1

16 Cooch Behar 1 1

17 Murshidabad 1 1

18 Kolkata 2 3

19 Nadia 1 1

  Total 19 25

3. Multi-Hazard Districts:

During FY 2012-13, we received Rs.1.10 Crore under Centrally Sponsored Scheme, “Revamping of Civil Defence Set up in the Country” for 10 Multi-Hazard District of West Bengal. Altogether 26 nos. of Vehicles under this Scheme purchased.

  9 Mini CDRVs each on a TATA SFC 407 Chassis

  8 TATA Spacios (Jeeps)

  7 Motorcycles

  2 Multi utility cars 

4. Imparting Training to QRT Volunteers:

With a view to man CDR Vehicles 44 plus to be stationed at all the districts Hqrs. and Kolkata, physically fit and mentally sound CD Volunteers have been selected @ 60(sixty) per district and have been trained in batches at WBNVF Training Centre, Kalyani, Nadia started on 25.05.13 and completed   on 3rd August, 2013. The training was fully residential. Fooding & lodging was provided by us. The entire course of training was borne by the Disaster Management Deptt., West Bengal.

  The Hon’ble MIC, Deptt. of Civil Defence, Principal  Secretary, ADG, CD Officers, NDRF attended the inaugural session of each batch of the training. The CD Volunteers were imparted  training on use of recently procured Modern Search & Rescue  Equipments. 

  The CDR Vehicles are ready  after fabrication and will be delivered to the D.M. & Controllers of Civil Defence of the  different  Districts & Kolkata with all  the equipments as per scale given above in the foregoing paras.

5. To operationalise Civil Defence Rescue Centres:

Civil Defence Rescue Centres are to combat flood and other natural calamities in the area by having sufficient resources at the centre to ensure quick response.  We have such Civil Defence resource centres at the following places :-

  Pursurah, Hooghly : We have taken possession and is operational. Presently Water Wing Civil Defence personnel with Boats & OBMs camping there to tackle water related disaster all through the year. (cost Rs.  91,01,204/-).

  Mohanpur, Paschim Medinipur : Construction work is over and we are going to take formal possession. Here also, like Pursurah WWCD personnel will cams with Boats & OBMs  to tackle water related disaster in the area. (Cost Rs. 83,72,777/-). 

  Basirhat, North 24-Parganas : Estimated cost Rs. 1,34,16,955/-. Construction work is over. Formal possession will be taken over shortly. 

                      All these projects are executed under State Plan and Budget.

6. Multi Disciplinary Centre:

The sole purpose of having such Multi Disciplinary Civil Defence Centre is to combat flood and other natural calamities in the area by having sufficient resources at the centre ensuring quick response and for rescuing  the affected persons. We have such Civil Defence Multi Disciplinary centres at the following places :-

  Asansol: Work is in progress. Target date of completion is 31st March, 2014. Estimated Cost Rs. 2,99,75,217/-. The entire Western Part of state Will be covered by this MDC.

  Hatighisa, Siliguri, Darjeeling: Estimated Cost Rs. 5,82,41,653/-. Work is in progress and likely to be completed within next two months. The entire Northern Part of state Will be covered by this MDC.

It may be mentioned that the WBCEF located at Howrah acts as MDC for Southern Part of State including Kolkata with all its resources.

In this connection it may be pointed out that 4 Heavy Civil Defence Rescue Vehicles and 3 Trauma Ambulance  have been acquired by the Civil Defence Directorate and these have been placed for the Multi Disciplinary Regional Centres as follows :-

  2 CDRVs & 1 Ambulance are stationed in Kolkata. 

  1 CDRV & 1 Ambulance are stationed at Asansol and 1 CDRV & 1 Ambulance are stationed at Siliguri

7. To complete the Construction of WWCD Administrative Building at Kalyani, Nadia: 

Presently the WWCD is spread at four locations with HQrs. at 81/2/2, Phears Lane, Kolkata-12, Workshop at Beliaghata and Kankurgachhi  and operational HQrs. at Lake Complex. Considering the operational and administrative difficulties the WWCD building is being constructed at Kalyani at the estimated cost of Rs. 4,96,81,000/-. The work is in progress and will house the entire WWCD Units under one roof once it is completed. The target date of completion is within current Financial Year.  All the above projects have been sanctioned under State Plan Schemes. 

8. Purchase of Boats for WWCD: 

Purchase of 14 Nos. of Fibre Glass Boats with OBMs and Trailer for WWCD: Estimated Cost is Rs. 2 Crores 14 lakhs during this Financial Year. 

The Schemes of Civil Defence Organisation may be categorised in three categories :- 

  State Plan Schemes 

  100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme 

  Schemes under-taken with the fund received from Disaster Management Department. 

All these projects are executed under State Plan and Budget.

9. To Modernize the Regional Civil Defence Control Centre (RCDCC):

Installation of Wireless Automated Remote System (WARS) in different places at Kolkata RCDCC. E-tendering is done for this modern Siren System (WARS) to replace the old and defunct siren system.

10. Round the Clock Control Room Duty at Hqr. Operational. Make it effective.

11. Civil Defence Awareness Programme   in Schools and Colleges.

12. Opening of Website of West Bengal Civil Defence – work on.

13. Compilation of e-database of Civil Defence Volunteers work on.

Conclusion -

“Selfless service is the essence of Civil Defence

Emotion and not the promotion is the during force.”

Civil Defence begins with C = Camaraderie and Civility and ends with enforcement with emotion. In between it is filled with 

I = Integrity, V = Virtue , I = Integrity

L = Liberty

D = Determination,

E = Efficiency,

F = Fast,

E = Earnestness,

N = Necessity,

C = Catalyst.