Bhubaneswar: A statewide fire safety mock drill will be held across Odisha this Saturday as part of a major initiative to enhance emergency preparedness. This announcement was a key highlight of a virtual awareness workshop organized jointly by the Housing and Urban Development Department and Odisha Fire Services to strengthen urban fire safety mechanisms.
In order to bolster fire safety mechanisms across urban areas, the Housing and Urban Development Department and Odisha Fire Services jointly organized a high-level virtual awareness workshop. The primary objective of the session was to integrate technical preparedness and emergency response strategies within urban local bodies.
The Director General of Fire Services, Dr. Sudhanshu Sarangi, attended the workshop and provided detailed insights into technical advancements, safety measures, and the use of modern firefighting equipment. He lauded the Housing and Urban Development Department for being the first in the state to organize such a comprehensive awareness program, citing it as a benchmark for inter-departmental coordination. Dr. Sarangi further announced that a statewide fire safety mock drill will be conducted this coming Saturday and sought the active cooperation of all municipal authorities to ensure its success.
Presiding over the workshop, Smt. Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department, emphasized that fire safety should be viewed as an integral part of urban governance rather than a mere regulatory formality. She directed all municipal bodies to include fire safety protocols under the Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikash Yojana.
The virtual meeting saw participation from Commissioners of all Municipal Corporations, as well as Executive Officers from Municipalities and Notified Area Councils. Fire officers and deputy fire officers also joined the session virtually.
In light of recent fire incidents, discussions focused on tightening safety measures through a three-pronged strategy: preparedness, prevention, and public awareness. Key initiatives highlighted during the workshop included: Continuous awareness programs for both officials and citizens, Mandatory and regular fire safety inspections in both government and private establishments and Grassroots-level awareness campaigns focusing on fire prevention and emergency response.
Director of Municipal Administration, Shri Arindam Dakua, delivered the welcome address and outlined the workshop’s goals, urging all urban local bodies to work in close coordination.
The workshop concluded with a directive to all municipal heads to immediately initiate safety audits and awareness drives in their respective jurisdictions to prevent future mishaps.