Shillong, April 20: As per directive received from the Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards (DGFSCD&HG), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Government of India, New Delhi, the Directorate of Civil Defence & Home Guards, Meghalaya, Shillong will conduct a Civil Defence Mock Exercise on Air Raid and Blackout entitled “ARMEX-I 2026” on 24th April 2026.
The Mock Exercise on Air Raid and Blackout will be conducted in all districts of the State involving all Important stakeholders such as the Airforce, Army, Police, SDRF, Home Guards, Civil Defence Wardens & Volunteers, Fire & Emergency Services, Health Department, Power Department, SDMA, DDMA, DIPR, Dorbar Shnong and Traditional Village Bodies, NCC, NSS, NYKS etc.
“ARMEX I 2026” mock exercise will be conducted in two stages viz STAGE I comprising of simulations on Search & Rescue Operations, Fire Response, Evacuation and Medical Response etc and STAGE II comprising of simulation on Air Raid Sirens and Blackout.
STAGE I will commence from 3 PM and conclude at 4 PM and STAGE II commence from 6:59 PM and conclude at 7:02 PM
In STAGE I, the Civil Defence Siren will be sounded at 3PM noon in all districts of the State to indicate to signal an Air Raid and the commencement of the Mock Exercise. Again, during STAGE I of the mock exercise, the Civil Defence Siren will be sounded at 4 PM to indicate the “All Clear” signal and also the conclusion of the Mock Exercise and demobilization or regrouping of all stakeholders and participants in the Mock Exercise.
In the second stage of the Mock Exercise, i.e. STAGE II, the Civil Defence Siren will be sounded at 7PM in the evening to signal an Air Raid and the commencement of Blackout. Here, the general public is requested to kindly participate in the Mock Exercise by switching off their lights, inverters and all source of illuminations as a mock practice of the Blackout.
The cooperation of all Dorbar Shnongs, Village Elders and Proprietors of Futsal Ground is also sought for the successful conduct of this simulation. The Blackout will last for two minutes and end at 7:02 PM sharp with the sounding of the All-Clear Signal through the Civil Defence Siren. This concludes the Mock Exercise.
The General Public is requested to kindly participate wholeheartedly in this Civil Defence Mock Exercise which is being conducted in the interest of National Security. As part of the Nation’s Civil Defence preparedness for protection and safeguarding of civilian lives during conflict and wars, Civil Defence mock exercise on Air Raid will be held twice every year with the aim of generating public awareness and preparedness.
