FIRE SAFETY WEEK COMMENCES

Srinagar, April 14 (Only Kashmir): To commemorate Fire Safety Week, a function was organized by Fire and Emergency Services, Srinagar today. Joint Director, Kashmir, Mr. R.T. Dubey was the chief guest while as OSD to Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr. Aamir Ali was the guest of honour.

In his address, Mr. Dubey gave a resume of the activities of his department and remembered those Jawans who sacrificed their lives while saving life and properties during fire incidents. He said April 14, 1944 was the day when a devastating fire incident took place at Victoria Docks in Bombay (now Mumbai), in which hundreds of human beings perished besides causing loss to property worth crores. He said since them April 14 is observed as National Fire Service Day.

Joint Director said that this department deals with the safety of life and property from accidental fire and other natural/manmade disasters. The Fire & Emergency Services, J&K was established in the year 1893 as Srinagar Fire Brigade. Some of the town areas were also having their fire brigades with few men. The Fire & Emergency Services, J&K is presently spread over 164 Fire & Emergency Stations all over the State.

Mr. Dubey said that the motto of the services is "We serve to save" and the role of Fire & Emergency Services, J&K, was earlier confined to Fire Fighting to safeguard life and property. He said the department has been renamed as Fire & Emergency Services Department as such the nature of duties viz a viz the responsibilities have increased substantially.

The Joint Director said that the department has to attend each and every sort of emergency/ disasters etc. like floods/ flash floods, rescue from water, earthquakes, chemical disasters, gas leakages, road accidents, building collapses, avalanches, forest fires, drought besides manmade disasters like war, air raids, bomb blasts etc.

He said the department is trying to strengthen and improve the services by providing Hi-tech Disaster Management equipment and training of manpower to deal with such exigencies. The department has procured some specialized appliances and equipment for Disaster Management and some are proposed to be purchased for equipping the department properly.

The Jawans who laid their lives during fire fighting operations were remembered in the function and in their respect the audience stood for a two minutes silence and prayed for their solace. A wreath was also laid on the memorial.

On the occasion, the Jawans of the Fire Services demonstrated a mock drill in which latest machinery and equipment was displayed.

Deputy Director, Fire and Emergency Services, Mr. Khurshid Ahmad Bazaz, Divisional Fire Officer, Syed Shakeel Ahmad, Parade Commander, Mr. Mohammad Rafiq Khan and other officers were present on the occasion. (OK)