Maharashtra SSC Civil Defence & Road Safety Grade cheat sheet

Civil Defence in India is a volunteer-based community service organised under the Civil Defence Act, 1968, and the Civil Defence Regulations, 1968; it is distinct from the armed forces and from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

National level: the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is the nodal authority; the Director General (Civil Defence) at the national level guides and coordinates Civil Defence policy and training.

State level: each State Government appoints a Director of Civil Defence; the State Civil Defence organisation is funded and administered through the State Home Department.

District level: the District Magistrate/Collector is the Controller of Civil Defence for the district; a Divisional/Deputy Controller assists, and the district is divided into divisions, sectors, and wards for operational control.

Unit level: a Civil Defence unit is headed by a Chief Warden; below the Chief Warden are Divisional Wardens, Sector Wardens, and Post Wardens, each responsible for a defined area.

Volunteer grades in Maharashtra: Civil Defence volunteers are enrolled and trained in basic civil defence subjects; training is imparted at Civil Defence training centres and district-level camps.

Key national institutions: the National Civil Defence College (NCDC), Nagpur, provides advanced training; the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), New Delhi, handles disaster management training and research.

Civil Defence duties are invoked during war, external aggression, natural calamities, and other emergencies notified by Government; volunteers are not a substitute for police or fire services.

Core Civil Defence functions: warning and informing the public, evacuation, rescue, first aid, firefighting assistance, provision of shelters, and casualty and relief management.

Warden duties: maintain a ward map and resident register, identify vulnerable persons, keep contact lists of fire, police, ambulance, and hospitals, and report incidents upward to the Controller.

Warning duties: operate sirens and public address systems, pass coded warnings, and guide the public to shelters or assembly points using pre-planned routes.

Evacuation duties: designate assembly points, keep routes clear, assist the elderly, children, and persons with disabilities, and maintain headcounts at shelters.

Rescue duties: volunteers perform light rescue only (removing debris, extricating trapped persons) unless trained and equipped for heavy rescue; structural collapse rescue is left to trained units.

Reporting discipline: all incidents are reported in the standard format - location, time, nature of incident, casualties, resources required - and logged in the unit's incident register.

Volunteer conduct: wear the prescribed uniform and identity card, carry no weapons, do not accept payment for civil defence duty, and remain under the direction of the Chief Warden.

Shelter management: shelters are opened on the Controller's order; volunteers record arrivals, allocate space, arrange water and sanitation, and coordinate food and medical aid.

Primary survey sequence: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation (DRABC); call for emergency help (108 ambulance in Maharashtra) before or during assessment.

Recovery position: for an unconscious but breathing casualty with no suspected spinal injury, place on the side, tilt head slightly back, and monitor breathing until help arrives.

CPR: adult compressions at 100–120 per minute, depth 5–6 cm, ratio 30 compressions to 2 rescue breaths; continue until help arrives or the casualty recovers.

Severe bleeding: apply direct pressure with a clean pad, elevate the limb if no fracture is suspected, and add pads on top rather than removing soaked ones.

Burns: cool with clean running water for at least 20 minutes, remove rings and tight items, cover with a sterile non-stick dressing; never apply oil, toothpaste, or ice.

Fractures: immobilise the limb in the position found using a splint, support above and below the fracture, and check circulation beyond the injury.

Choking (adult): encourage coughing; if ineffective, give up to 5 back blows between the shoulder blades, then up to 5 abdominal thrusts, alternating until the obstruction clears.

Shock signs: pale cold clammy skin, rapid weak pulse, rapid shallow breathing, restlessness; lay the casualty flat, keep warm, and do not give food or drink.

Fire triangle: fuel, oxygen, and heat; removing any one side extinguishes the fire; the fire tetrahedron adds the chemical chain reaction.

Classes of fire: A - solid combustibles (wood, paper); B - flammable liquids; C - flammable gases; D - metals; E - electrical; F/K - cooking oils and fats.

Extinguisher selection: water for Class A only; foam for A and B; dry chemical powder (ABC) for A, B, C and electrical; CO2 for electrical and flammable liquids; never water on electrical or oil fires.

PASS technique: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side across the base.

Fire extinguishers must be checked periodically; a dry powder extinguisher is recharged after any use and the pressure gauge should read in the green zone.

Evacuation: raise the alarm, switch off electrical mains if safe, use stairs never lifts, stay low under smoke, and assemble at the designated assembly point for a headcount.

If clothing catches fire: stop, drop, and roll; smother flames with a blanket; do not run, as running feeds oxygen to the flames.

Fire service in Maharashtra is provided by municipal fire brigades and the Maharashtra Fire Services; the emergency number for fire is 101 (112 unified emergency number).

Disaster Management Act, 2005 established the NDMA (national), SDMA (state), and DDMA (district) authorities, with the NDRF as the specialised response force.

Disaster management cycle: mitigation and prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery/rehabilitation; mitigation works before a disaster, response works during and immediately after.

Hazard types in Maharashtra: earthquakes (Koyna region, Zone IV), floods (Konkan and river basins), cyclones (coastal districts), droughts (Marathwada), landslides (Western Ghats), and industrial/chemical accidents.

Earthquake response: drop, cover, and hold on; after shaking, evacuate using stairs, avoid damaged structures, and expect aftershocks.

Flood response: move to higher ground, avoid walking or driving through flowing water, switch off electricity at the mains, and drink only boiled or treated water.

Incident Command System principles: unity of command, clear span of control, agreed terminology, and a single incident action plan; the first responder on scene may assume command until relieved.

Emergency numbers in Maharashtra: 112 (unified emergency), 108 (ambulance), 101 (fire), 100 (police), 1078 (disaster/relief helpline).

Community-based disaster management: village/district disaster management plans, mock drills, early warning dissemination, and identification of safe shelters and evacuation routes.

Mandatory signs are circular with a red border (e.g., Stop, Give Way, No Entry, Speed Limit); cautionary signs are triangular with a red border (e.g., School Ahead, Narrow Bridge, Hairpin Bend).

Informatory signs are rectangular or square, usually blue or green, giving directions, facility locations, and route information.

Traffic light sequence: red means stop, amber means prepare to stop (do not proceed), green means go if the way is clear.

Hand signals: right arm raised vertically means stop; right arm extended horizontally means turning right; left arm extended horizontally means turning left; right arm rotated means slowing down.

Helmet rule: a helmet is mandatory for riders and pillion riders of two-wheelers; seat belts are mandatory for front-seat and rear-seat occupants of cars.

Speed limits and lane discipline are set by the Motor Vehicles Act and state notifications; overtaking on the left is generally prohibited, and overtaking is not allowed at bends, bridges, or intersections.

Zebra crossings: pedestrians have right of way; vehicles must stop before the stop line and not block the crossing; use footpaths and pedestrian subways where provided.

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is an offence under the Motor Vehicles Act; the legal blood alcohol limit for private drivers in India is 30 mg per 100 ml of blood.

Golden Hour: the first 60 minutes after a road crash is the most critical for saving lives; prompt first aid and transport to hospital within this window greatly improve survival.

Protect the scene first: switch on hazard lights, place a warning triangle behind the vehicle, and ensure personal safety before approaching casualties.

Do not move a casualty with suspected spinal or head injury unless there is immediate danger (fire, traffic); support the head and neck in the position found.

Call 108 for ambulance; give the exact location, number of casualties, and nature of injuries; keep the line open for instructions.

Control bleeding with direct pressure, check airway and breathing, and monitor for shock while waiting for help; do not give food or drink to an injured person.

Good Samaritan law (Motor Vehicles Act amendment, 2019): bystanders who help road accident victims are protected from civil or criminal liability and are not compelled to reveal their identity.

Prevention measures: obey speed limits, avoid mobile phone use while driving, do not drink and drive, maintain safe following distance, and use helmets and seat belts.

Report accidents to the police (100) and the ambulance service (108); note vehicle numbers and do not disturb the scene more than necessary for rescue.

Awareness methods: street plays (natak), rallies, school and college programmes, wall paintings, pamphlets, posters, radio and TV spots, and social media campaigns.

Target audiences: school children, women, senior citizens, drivers and transport workers, and residents of hazard-prone areas; messages should be in the local language (Marathi) for maximum reach.

Mock drills: conduct periodic evacuation and first aid drills in schools, housing societies, and workplaces; record participation and time taken for evacuation.

Road safety education: teach the meaning of traffic signs and signals, safe crossing, helmet and seat belt use, and the dangers of drunk and distracted driving.

Civil Defence volunteers act as educators: they demonstrate first aid, fire safety, and evacuation techniques at community events and awareness camps.

Use the emergency numbers campaign: 112 (unified), 108 (ambulance), 101 (fire), 100 (police); display them at public places, schools, and housing societies.

Evaluation of awareness: pre- and post-session questionnaires, number of participants reached, and reduction in risky behaviour indicators; feedback is used to improve future programmes.

Partnerships: coordinate with local police, fire brigade, municipal health department, schools, NGOs, and resident welfare associations for sustained awareness activity.