Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said that the government has already undertaken the process of conducting a fire safety audit of all government buildings in the State.
He was speaking after inaugurating two quick response vehicles and three high-density polythene (HDPE) boats purchased under the District Mineral Foundation (Trust), South Goa for the Fire and Emergency Services at its headquarters, here.
Speaking further, Sawant said that many old government buildings still have old fire systems and that guidelines have been issued to switch over to the latest new fire safety equipment. He said that the ongoing construction work of the state-of-the-art building of Goa Fire and Emergency Services headquarters at St Inez, Panjim will be ready by March next year.
The Chief Minister informed that the process to recruit lady fire personnel in the department will be started after changing the recruitment rules by incorporating additional qualification and training criteria. The new specious building will have nine blocks and house head office, fire station, training hall and a conference hall.
Raikar said that the quick response vehicles will be deployed at the Curchorem and Ponda Fire Station respectively. While the high-density polythene (HDPE) rescue boats will be deployed at Margao, Curchorem and Ponda Fire Stations. He said that the department had requested the District Mineral Foundation (Trust), South Goa to provide the new equipment after the Fire and Emergency Services could not respond swiftly in areas of Dharbandora taluka during Cyclone Tauktae in May last year.
Principal Secretary (Finance) Dr V Candavelou, IAS, Central Zone Divisional Officer Rajendra Haldankar and North Zone Assistant Divisional Officer Ajit K Kamat were also present.
