BHUBANESWAR: Stressing on the importance of disaster management, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the Government has sanctioned 335 fire stations across the State.
Inaugurating a new building of Secretariat Fire Station, Naveen said “the fire stations have been sanctioned in order to provide adequate protection services in all the 314 blocks of the State.” He also lauded the efforts of Fire Service personnel who have gone beyond fire protection and handled other disaster management-related incidents with deftness.
He also felicitated Fire Service personnel who were involved in post-Hud Hud rescue and rehabilitation work in Andhra Pradesh.
About 485 fire service personnel were sent to AP between October 13 and October 19, to assist their neighbouring Government in restoration work. Their efforts received appreciation both from AP as well as Odisha Government. Majority of the restoration work was concentrated in Vishakapatnam, which was worst affected by Hud Hud.
Fire Services Additional Director General (ADG) M Nageswar Rao said though the fire fighters are very capable, there is a need for additional capacity building through training. In order to make fire fighting more effective in highrises and other places, there is an urgent need to amend the Odisha Fire Service Act, 1993 to further strengthen it.
Chief secretary GC Pati lauded the efforts of fire service personnel in cyclone-hit districts of AP. Member of Parliament Prasanna Patsani and local MLAs were also present.