Fire Service Week: Safety is not just govt’s responsibility, but a collective effort, says Sood

Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood on Wednesday virtually launched a massive public awareness campaign organized the Education Department and Delhi Fire Service on the occasion of “Fire Service Week” with an aim to strengthen safety mechanisms across schools and the hospitals across the national capital.

The Fire Service Week is being observed between April 14 to 20 with the objective to enhance public participation in the campaign to ensure “Safe Schools, Safe Hospitals, and an Accident-Free Society,” by creating an awareness about the prevention of fire-related incidents.

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On the occasion, Sood also launched the “Safe School Campaign,” to ensure compliance with fire safety standards by all government and private schools.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister said ensuring safety of children is the highest priority of the govdernment. With the motto “We Serve to Save” the of Delhi Fire Service has successfully attended 36,877 emergency calls in the past year. The department is continuously enhancing its technology and training to ensure safety of the national capital from fire incidence.

The minister also paid tribute to the 66 fire fighters who had lost their lives in a massive fire on a ship in Mumbai back in 1944.
Addressing the students, he encouraged them not to be afraid of fire, but stay prepared and be aware of how to deal with such situations. He stressed the importance of following fire safety protocols and actively participating in mock drills and demonstrations conducted in schools, as such training plays a crucial role in saving lives during emergencies.
According to the Delhi Home Minister, more than 1,000 awareness camps have been organized by the Delhi Fire Service so far, through which over 50,000 citizens have been trained.
He urged everyone to spread awareness about fire safety within their families and communities and to become Fire Safety Ambassadors.

Sood emphasized that safety is not solely the responsibility of the government or the fire department, but a shared responsibility of all citizens, adding that simple precautions such as keeping emergency exits clear, using electrical appliances safely, avoiding lifts during a fire, immediately calling 101 or 112 in case of fire, ensuring adult supervision while using electrical devices, bending low while escaping from smoke, and remembering “Stop, Drop, and Roll,” are things that can significantly help in preventing major fire incidents.

He also urged school managements to ensure proper and modern training for their staff in operating fire safety equipment.