Face2News/Chandigarh 

In a significant step towards enhancing civil-military cooperation and building local capacity for emergency response, the first batch of 165 Civil Defence volunteers visited Chandimandir Military Station for a structured orientation and exposure programme organised by the Indian Army under the aegis of HQ Western Command.

The aim of the visit was to expose volunteers to the multifaceted role of the Indian Army in national security and humanitarian assistance, while deepening their understanding of civil-military coordination mechanisms and aid to civil authorities during emergencies/crisis response.

The programme commenced with the screening of two powerful motivational films - one depicting the glorious History and Legacy of the Western Command, and the other showcasing the operational excellence displayed by Western Comd & Indian Army during Operation SINDOOR.

This was followed by interactive sessions with Army units at Chandimandir Military Station, where volunteers were given an insight into joint coordination drills, mock disaster response exercises, and the standard protocols during Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.

To understand the importance of physical fitness all volunteers were introduced to a well designed basic physical assessment routine under Army trainers, reinforcing the need for physical fitness and mental readiness during crisis response. The Civil Defence Volunteers were also given an exposure on state of the art combat disaster relief platforms and military weapons & equipment in use by Indian Army.

The event underscored the beginning of a landmark initiative in strengthening civil-military synergy, reinforcing the role of civil defence in national resilience, and motivating volunteers to serve as force multipliers in times of national need.