Odisha Reviews Fire and Emergency Services, Focus on Strengthening Response Systems

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Wednesday reviewed the functioning of fire and emergency response systems during a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg at Lok Seva Bhawan.

The meeting assessed the operations of the state’s fire services, emergency services, Home Guards and Civil Defence. Sudhanshu Shadangi, Director General of Police (Fire Services), presented several initiatives undertaken to strengthen the Odisha Fire Services and outlined future strategies to enhance emergency response capabilities.

Shadangi said that under the Disaster Management Act, fire service personnel serve as first responders during incidents such as fires, road and train accidents, building collapses, drowning cases and other emergencies. On average, the department handles around 200 emergency calls every day.

Currently, Odisha operates 346 fire stations across urban and rural areas to ensure quick response. In 2025, the department received about 20,991 fire-related calls, saved property worth nearly Rs 598 crore, and rescued more than 100 people. In various accidents, fire service teams also rescued 9,547 individuals and 16,399 animals, officials said.

To strengthen response systems, the state has established a 24-hour State Command Centre at Baramunda in Bhubaneswar for real-time monitoring and rapid coordination during emergencies. A dedicated training centre for water rescue and underwater search operations was also inaugurated near Konark at Ramchandi in December 2025.

The department has also introduced several new initiatives, including the formation of a K-9 dog squad with ten trained rescue dogs deployed in major cities. The upgraded Fire Services Portal 2.0 has simplified processes such as fire safety licensing, renewals and third-party audits, improving ease of doing business.

Officials said the department has recruited 911 new “Agni Joddhas” and plans to recruit women firefighters as part of efforts to promote gender inclusion. Other measures include specialised training in scuba diving, first aid, rescue operations and K-9 handling, along with the deployment of modern incident command vehicles and equipment for high-rise rescue operations.

The department has also launched awareness initiatives such as “Visit Fire Station Today” every Saturday, allowing students, community leaders, Anganwadi workers and NCC cadets to visit fire stations and learn about fire safety, drowning prevention and emergency response.

Chief Secretary Anu Garg emphasised the need to further strengthen fire services to protect lives and property, particularly by addressing the issue of drowning-related deaths. She urged fire service personnel to play a key role in preventive awareness and emergency response.

Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Hemant Sharma also praised the efforts of Agni Joddhas for their contributions to fire safety, industry, tourism and emergency assistance across the state.