Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Directorate General Fire Services, Civil Defence & Home Guards, MHA and the Directorate of Civil Defence, Home Guards and SDRF, Nagaland on June 9, 2025, a Civil Defence Master Trainers training program was launched today at the Central Training Institute (CTI), Home Guards, Civil Defence & SDRF, Toluvi, Dimapur. The program includes officer trainees from Nagaland and Manipur.
The MoU mandates the training of Master Trainers, Civil Defence Wardens, and Civil Defence Volunteers across the ten Civil Defence-designated districts of Nagaland. The 21-day training program, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, aims to strengthen first response capacity in the States and UTs against disasters and emergencies.
During the program, trainees will undergo intensive training in Civil Defence and Disaster Management skills, including VHF, HF, UHF emergency communication systems, Air Raid Warning System, Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue (CSSR), reconnaissance and damage assessment, along with Emergency Methods of Rescue (EMR), Medical First Responders (MFR), and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) first responder training. A total of 20 trainees from Nagaland and 10 from Manipur are participating.
The capacity-building initiative was necessitated following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, and subsequent border tensions between India and Pakistan. It aims to create a strong civil defence network capable of handling both man-made and natural disasters.
At the inaugural function, Renchamo P Kikon, IPS, Director General of Home Guards, Civil Defence & SDRF, emphasized the importance of civil defence in the country. He noted that the Master Trainers program is designed to prepare trainers from Nagaland and Manipur who will, in turn, train 3,600 Civil Defence Wardens and Volunteers in Nagaland. He highlighted the vital role of Civil Defence Wardens as the bridge between district administrations and volunteer communities, urging Master Trainers to inspire confidence and responsibility among wardens and volunteers.
Welcoming trainees from Manipur, the DG expressed confidence that joint training will foster stronger ties between the two states, both during crises and routine operations, particularly in border areas.
The program was chaired by M Yingnyei Konyak, District Commandant, Dimapur, who also delivered the vote of thanks.