12 civil protection teams to ensure rescue, safety and welfare operations during disasters

Mysuru: In a decisive step towards strengthening disaster preparedness, the Mysuru District Administration has constituted 12 specialised civil protection service teams to respond swiftly to emergencies.

This move follows a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs in the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which has heightened focus on emergency readiness across the country.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Dr. P. Shivaraju, announcing the formation of these teams, said the district is taking proactive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens during crises.

A high-level preparatory meeting was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office yesterday, with participation from senior officials of all key departments to chalk out detailed disaster-response strategies.

The 12 civil protection teams will be responsible for a wide range of critical tasks — from communication and fire safety to rescue, evacuation, logistics, and welfare. Among the key services are the Communication Service for timely alert dissemination, the Fire Fighting Service for managing fire-related emergencies, Welfare Service to support affected citizens, the Civil Defence Service for overall coordination and Transport and Supply Services for logistics.

These teams bring together officials from across the administrative spectrum, including the Police Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, CEO of the Zilla Panchayat, Assistant Commissioners, Tahsildars, District Health and Family Welfare Officers, the Assistant Director of the Information Department, Regional Fire Officer and representatives from the Airport Authority, Railways, All India Radio and various other departments.

To ensure round-the-clock coordination, a 24/7 district-level control room 2 been established. All departments have been instructed to remain on standby and strictly adhere to protocols issued from                                                            the control room.

The 12 designated services under the civil defence structure are: Headquarters Service, Warden Service, Communication Service, Casualty Service, Fire Fighting Service, Rescue Service, Welfare Service, Salvage Service, Corpse Disposal Service, Depot and Transport Service, Training Service and Supply Service.

While Mysuru currently faces no direct threat, officials stressed the need for constant vigilance, especially given the city’s global reputation as a major tourist hub. “Preparedness is key. Coordinated efforts between Central and State agencies are critical for rapid response in times of need,” said the ADC.

Authorities emphasised that these teams are not just for response, but also for reassurance, boosting public confidence in the district’s capacity to handle crises efficiently and effectively.