Governor Hans Raj Bhardwaj on Monday said the government must strengthen the civil defence infrastructure in the state as it plays an important role in rescue operations during natural disasters.
He was addressing officials of the Police and Fire and Emergency Services Departments at a National Disaster Reduction Day programme.
He called for modernisation of equipment and development of infrastructure used by the civil defence. The Governor suggested that these forces should try teaming up with international aid organisations such as the Red Cross in order to increase their efficiency.
“I have requested the Red Cross to work with you. If you coordinate, we can set up a great force in districts and even at the division-level,” he said.
Karnataka recently deputed close to 2,000 home guards for election duty in Madhya Pradesh and the Civil Defence team has been recognised as the best in India by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
Home Minister K J George said the government was serious about equipping the forces to deal with emergencies and steps would be taken for the same.
“With Union and State funding, we have managed to create a state-of-the-art control room,” DGP Om Prakash said.
According to figures provided by the Fire Department, till October his year, around 13,324 fire calls were made, involving 6,91,197 properties. Of these, 49,423 properties and 529 people were saved.
Earlier, a rally was taken out and mock drills were conducted.
Home Secretary S K Pattanayak, DG and IGP L Pachau, Commissioner of Police Raghavendra Auradkar and others were present.