Margao: The South Goa Collector on Friday issued an advisory and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for air raid alerts and blackout protocols to state departments, local bodies, emergency services and the general public.
In keeping with the Civil Defence Manual and the national civil contingency protocols, two sirens for air raid warning signals were informed. This included an action warning – RED (Air Raid Alert) which is a two-minute warbling siren to indicate an impending air raid. Upon hearing the siren, prescribed precautions are to be immediately taken.
The second is the All Clear – GREEN (Raiders Passed) signal which is a continuous two-minute hooting siren which will denote the threat has passed and normal activity may resume.
During the alerts, the general public is directed to proceed to designated air raid shelters, protective trenches or other secure locations. If unable to access a shelter, the public is advised to remain indoors away from windows and external walls and to maintain composure, to
avoid unnecessary use of telephone networks and to keep lines open for emergency communication.
As blackout measures, all lights including outdoor and indoor lighting must be switched off or completely shielded and windows and openings should be covered with thick or opaque materials to prevent any light escape.
In the event of an air raid alert, public transport operations should cease or continue without lighting and all vehicles must halt at the nearest safe stop or station. Private vehicles must be parked off-road with all the lights extinguished.
In the advisory, South Goa collector Egna Cleetus also pointed out that Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs) must remain operational with backup power, communication tools and emergency lighting. Constant coordination must be maintained with military command, local administration and neighbouring EOCs and ensure the deployment readiness of trained personnel to manage operations
in shifts.
Once the all clear signal has been issued, the advisory calls for resuming normal activities only after the GREEN signal is officially issued.
All damage, disruptions or casualties must be reported promptly to the nearest Civil Defence authority or Control room of district magistrate and restoration of services and infrastructure must be carried out as per standing recovery guidelines after inspection.
