Union Minister KirenRijiju has stressed on the need for allocation of more resources and modernisation of fire services besides providing proper equipment for firemen for effective performance of their duties. Inaugurating a workshop on ‘An Integrated Approach to Fire Safety’, the Minister of State for Home said that the efforts put in by the firemen invariably do not get noticed. “The job of firemen is so difficult that it cannot be performed effectively, if proper equipment is not provided to them. Allocation of more resources and modernisation of fire services is needed, so that the entire system can be more robust,” he said on the occasion of the ‘Fire Service Day’.
The Minister said the state governments need to strictly enforce the fire safety regulations and the Ministry of Home Affairs is persuading the states to incorporate the provisions of the ‘National Building Code’ to ensure proper safety of life and property. Rijiju said the Home Ministry provides technical support, guidance and assistance in this field to the states. He said the Home Ministry has already decided to further upgrade and modernise the National Fire Service College, Nagpur and a scheme of Rs 205 crore is already in progress.
Rijiju said the Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards are working together as first responders to disasters and form an integral part of the disaster management system. He said they play a vital role in preparing the community for disaster management by imparting appropriate training to them. A trained community responds well in cases of disasters and also helps in effective relief and rescue work, he said.
Rijiju said the workshop is a positive step towards sharing of knowledge and technology among the various stakeholders in the country. During the event, a commemorative postage stamp on ‘Fire Services of India’ to mark the importance of the Fire Services Day was released. The day-long workshop included two technical sessions to discuss the issues like force multiplying endeavours in mitigating fire hazards and implementation of e-governance in fire and emergency services.
