The Sunday Mail
Civil protection is a term used to describe all humanitarian measures taken to protect populations, their environment and their natural inheritance against accidents and disasters of every kind.
Government has legislated for the co ordination of preparedness planning for emergencies and disasters through the Civil Protection Act Chapter 10.06 of 1989.
Key provisions of the Act are:
Establishment of the Civil Protection Organisation in the country which is comprised of national, provincial and district civil protection committees. These committees are made up by the existing sectors of Government, parastatals, private sector, NGOs and UN organisations whose regular activities entail elements of prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response.
Education, awareness and research into matters relating to civil protection.
Special powers designed to establish, co ordinate and direct both private and public emergency services.
Establishment of the National Civil Protection Fund for the promotion of civil protection.
While central Government takes primary responsibility to protect its citizens it places emphasis on the role to be played by all.
Policy for civil protection states that every citizen must to the extent possible assist to avert or limit the effects of a disaster.
The policy is basically making an appeal for good citizenship from all and sundry in order to contribute to the reduction of risk to disaster.
A good citizen will make all efforts to safeguard the environment, life and limb. Citizens have a role in civil protection in their individual, social and professional competencies. A typical social role is that of the family. There are 4 basic steps a family can take to make a preparedness plan:
Step 1: The family must make an effort to identify prevailing dangers or hazards in their home and immediate environment.
Step 2: Determine preventive actions and survival skills for each identified danger.
Step 3: Maintain emergency supplies such as a first aid kit, food and water supplies as well as emergency lighting or energy source.
Step 4: Ensure every family member knows what actions to take in case of a particular emergency or disaster
Remember be a good citizen, reduce the risk to disaster!
