Mohsin Naseer
Civil defense or civil protection is an effort to protect the citizens of a state from military attacks and natural disasters. It uses the principal of emergency operations: prevention, preparation, mitigation, response or emergency evacuation and recovery. After the end of Cold War the focus of civil defense has largely shifted from military attacks to emergencies and disasters in general. Civil defense in modern times is very essential for a civilized society. Through the civil defense training one is always ready for the protection of any person, property, place or thing during any hostile attack, whether from air, land or sea. During peace times, humanity also faces other most dangerous calamities whether these are manmade or natural. Civil defense includes any measures, not just committing to actual combat for defense, whether such measures are taken before, during or after the time of attack. It also includes remedial measures against natural and manmade disasters in peace time. AIMS OF CIVIL DEFENSE Its aims include minimizing casualties, to minimize the damage, to ensure uninterrupted production in mills and factories, to provide active civilian support all around, and to maintain the morale of the people to a high standard. One country cannot afford to take full civil defense measures throughout the country as it requires tremendous resources and expanses. The general public has been involved in a disciplined manner on voluntarily basis to take full civil defense measures. In most cases a disaster occurs suddenly without any warning signs, causing damage to the people, objects and environment, resulting in loss of precious lives and resources. Such a situation causes a disruption in the normal pattern of life, generation misfortune, helplessness and affecting the socioeconomic structure of a region to such an extent that there results a need of rapid assistance or immediate outside intervention. In order to make a strong civil defense structure, there is an urgent need to create awareness among the students of schools, universities and other institutions with regard to its important and unavoidable role in disaster management. Why is Civil defense necessary.  In spite of our country’s effort to follow a policy of peace, amity and friendship at home and abroad, unfortunately, recently we have been subjected to naked aggression by an unprincipled enemy. We must, therefore, be prepared with plans of protection of life and property for such eventuality. Our best insurance for peace is to prepare for war and to be ready for all contingencies. We must also build our strength to prevent our enemy to risk war with us. Relatively small investments in preparation can speed up recovery by months or years and can prevent millions of deaths by hunger, cold or diseases. According to human capital theory in economics, a country’s population is more valuable then all of the land, factories and other assets that it possesses. People rebuild a country after its destruction, and it is important for the economic security of a country that it protects its people. According to psychology, it is important for people to feel as though they are in control of their own destiny and preparing for uncertainty via civil defense may help to achieve this. Threat Assessment Threat to civilians includes NBC (Nuclear, Biological and Chemical warfare) and others, and now in modern times it is CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear). Threat assessment involves studying each  hreat so that preventive measures can be built into civilian life. Conventional: Refers to conventional explosives. A blast shelter designed to protect from radiation and fallout would be much more vulnerable to conventional explosives. Nuclear: Shelter intended to protect against the nuclear blast effects would include a thick concrete and other sturdy elements which are resistant to conventional explosives. The biggest threats from a nuclear attack are affects from the blast, fire and radiation. One of the most prepared countries for a nuclear attack is Switzerland. Almost every building has a Shelter against the initial nuclear attack and the explosion followed by the fall out. because of this reason many people use Switzerland as a country to protect their valuables, photos, financial information and so on. Switzerland also has air-raid and nuclear-raid sirens in every village. Biological: The threat here is primarily from disease-causing micro-organisms such as bacteria and viruses. Chemical: Various chemical agents are a threat, such as nerve gas (VX, Sarin). Task of Civil defense during peace and war. Peace Times: Training of masses to meet nay unwanted situation, arising from manmade or natural disasters. Assistance, Rescue and relief tasks are included whenever life and property is threatened due to peacetimes disasters. During War: Warning of the enemy’s raiding aircraft to civil population. Provision of firefighting, rescue, first aid and bomb disposal services to the population are included, as well as assistance of rehabilitation and restoration of utility services. Civil defense arrangements are following Pre Disaster: Warning system, Evacuation and dispersal, Control of mass movements, Shelters and structural protection, Instructions to public. During Disaster: Control & communication service Warden service Firefighting service Rescue service Casualty service NBC identification and decontamination service Bomb disposal service. Post Disaster: Care and feeding of persons Salvage of property Repair of slightly damaged buildings Demolition of damaged buildings Disposal of dead bodies Clearance of debris Maintenance of essential services Control of Mass movements May Allah bless and protect our beloved Pakistan.