Visakhapatnam: Stressing the importance of preventing fire accidents, GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg underlined the need to create widespread public awareness on fire safety.
He said awareness programmes would be conducted under the theme ‘Safe School, Safe Hospital and Fire Safety Society’, with posters and pamphlets distributed to all secretariats to educate citizens.
The ‘National Fire Service Day’ programme was organised at the GVMC conference hall on Tuesday under the aegis of the corporation’s Fire Prevention Wing. Speaking on the occasion, the Commissioner emphasised that public alertness plays a crucial role in preventing fire accidents and urged citizens to strictly adhere to fire safety norms.
Ketan Garg advised people to exercise caution while using gas cylinders and electrical appliances, and to take preventive measures against risks such as short circuits and gas leakages. He directed officials to ensure strict enforcement of fire safety standards in schools, hospitals and commercial establishments.
Highlighting the need for preparedness, he stressed that children and the elderly must be educated on emergency precautions. He called for active public cooperation in preventing fire mishaps and urged citizens to act responsibly.
The Commissioner instructed Regional Fire Officer Ch. Krupavaram to ensure distribution of awareness material to all secretariats. In view of the expansion of the GVMC zonal system, he also called for strengthening the fire wing established in 2009 and asked officials to submit proposals for a dedicated fire station brigade along with required machinery and infrastructure.
Additional Commissioners P.M. Satyavani, D.V. Ramana Murthy, S.S. Varma and P. Nallanayya, along with Zonal Commissioner B. Ramu, were present at the programme.
Meanwhile, the CISF fire wing at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) is observing Fire Service Week from April 14 to 20. Addressing a gathering, CISF Commandant Jitender Babu Duvvada outlined activities planned to raise awareness among plant workers, their families and schoolchildren.
RINL Director (Projects) Arun Kanti Bagchi appreciated the role of CISF in fire protection and security. He highlighted the importance of the ‘golden hour’ in rescue operations and stressed the need for regular fire audits, preventive measures and enhanced public awareness to minimise risks. CISF and VSP officials participated in the programme.
