Performance of fire departments in six districts reviewed

Director General of Fire Services (FAC), P. Venkata Ramana, conducted a review meeting on Sunday to assess the performance of fire departments in six districts – Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Parvatipuram Manyam, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli and Alluri Sitaramaraju districts.

Nearly 40 officers, including district disaster response and fire officers, assistant district fire officers and station fire officers from six districts participated. During the meeting, various agendas came up for discussion.

Regional fire officer, D. Niranjan Reddy highlighted the successful decentralisation of the fire NOC issuing process. He said that people have begun obtaining fire NOCs’ via the online portal in a hassle-free manner without visiting offices. Additionally, the integration of fire portal with single window system and MAUD is completed and efforts are underway to integrate it with Whatsapp governance.

He also said that notices are being issued to premises in the State lacking fire safety measures. However, managements need not worry as they can get revised permissions from the department by ensuring safety as per National Building Code (NBC). They will be given 30 days time to ensure compliance. Those already equipped with fire equipment as per the NBC, can immediately submit compliance letter and get a revised NOC.

Mr Reddy said that a special State-wide fire safety awareness drive will be conducted by all fire stations. It will involve conducting demonstrations and mock drills on kitchen fires, hospital fires and industrial fires, with large scale participation from stakeholders.

Under the 15 finance commission, six new fire stations are being constructed in Zone – 1 —at Yendada, Simhachalam, Kapuluppada, Pusapatirega, Araku and Chinturu at a cost of ₹2.25 crore for each station. Additionally, nine new buildings are being constructed replacing the old dilapidated structures at a cost of nearly ₹13 crore, he added.

District Fire Officer, Vishakapatnam S. Renukaiah said that the salary accounts of staff are being opened so that they can access the ₹15 lakh natural death benefit and the ₹95 lakh accidental death benefit in case of any unfortunate incident.