Odisha Holds Statewide Workshop to Strengthen Urban Fire Safety Preparedness

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to enhance urban safety and emergency readiness, the Housing & Urban Development Department, Government of Odisha, in collaboration with the Odisha Fire Services, organised a high-level virtual sensitisation workshop on fire safety awareness and preparedness on Monday.

The workshop aimed to streamline emergency response systems and improve technical preparedness across Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the state. It brought together municipal officials, fire service personnel, and administrators to ensure a coordinated approach to fire risk management.

Delivering the technical briefing, Sudhansu Sarangi, Director General of Fire Services, highlighted key preventive measures, the use of modern firefighting equipment, and the importance of institutional preparedness. He noted that this was the first comprehensive initiative of its kind by any department in the state, setting a benchmark for inter-departmental coordination.

Sarangi also informed participants about a statewide fire safety mock drill scheduled for the coming Saturday, urging all ULBs to actively participate to ensure effective implementation.

Under the leadership of Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary, the workshop stressed the need to integrate fire safety into core urban governance frameworks. She directed all ULBs to incorporate fire safety measures under the Mukhyamantri Sahari Bikash Yojana (MSBY) in the upcoming financial year.

The session saw participation from Commissioners of Municipal Corporations, Executive Officers of Municipalities and Notified Area Councils, as well as Fire Officers and Deputy Fire Officers, ensuring a unified strategy across the state.

Discussions centred around three key pillars—preparedness, prevention, and public awareness—especially in light of recent fire incidents. Officials emphasised the need for regular safety audits, continuous sensitisation of both officials and citizens, and large-scale awareness campaigns on fire prevention and emergency response.

At the outset, Arindam Dakua, Director of Municipal Administration, outlined the objectives of the workshop and underscored the importance of a coordinated statewide approach.