District emergency services observe National Fire Service Week

Dimapur, April 18 (EMN): Emergency service divisions across Nagaland observed National Fire Service Week.
The government publicity agency, the Information and Public Relations (IPR) issued on Thursday updates about various functions that were conducted in the state to mark the occasion.
The Fire & Emergency Services division at Kohima organised a function to promote knowledge about preventing fire emergencies and ensuring safety. The programme was conducted with the theme ‘fire prevention and fire awareness,’ on April 18 at the local ground of Kohima.

During the event, Sub Inspector (SI) Chumbemo Patton spoke about the significance of Fire Service Week,’ He said the ‘Fire Service Day is observed on April 14 in commemoration of 66 gallant officers and firemen of the Bombay Fire Brigade who laid down their lives in fighting “the great fire.” The IPR did not mention what ‘the great fire’ was.

“The day is observed as martyrs’ Day to pay homage to those brave firemen and the day is also set aside for mass awareness campaigns on fire hazards and safety measures by conducting public education programmes through various methods such as fire safety and evacuation drills, public lectures, demonstrations, mock drills etc. across the country,’ the IPR quoted Patton.

The official was also stated to have spoken about “fire exigency for information of the general public,” and for their safety and compliance when untoward incidents breaks out.

The information for the public include calling and informing the Fire Services immediately; advisory against misusing Fire Service Telephone numbers because it is a punishable offence; giving right and precise information.

Further, the public care asked to use appropriate fire extinguishers in the initial stages to contain fire; not pouring water on oil and electrical fire but to use appropriate fire extinguishers; informing the Power department to cut off power lines and supply in an affected locality to avoid further damage.

Another important information that public must take note is to give passage and way to fire tenders to pass unobstructed during emergencies; advisory against using fire sirens by any other individual or organizations; locating site of a fire outbreak, and guiding and showing fire personnel the shortest possible route and access to it; locating source and water supply in the vicinity of the fire.

Further, the people can install fire extinguishers, fire alarms, smoke detectors, fire hydrants and sprinkler systems in their homes; every household should maintain a small water tank to meet any fire hazards before fire personnel arrive; using certified and standard electrical appliance viz. wires, plugs, fuse, switches, and sockets etc.

During the training programme, a demonstration on the use of different types of fire extinguishers was given by assistant sub inspector (ASI) Menose Zashümo.

The session on first aid and rescue tactics was led by ASI Tejongol Sophie; the session on use of ropes and lines by ASI Hairam and the session on using ladders among others were demonstrated by SI Sevi Kera.

SI Thepfukranyu gave the closing remarks during which he thanked the participants from various departments for cooperating during the training event, the IPR stated.

Jalukie
The Fire & Emergency Services division of Peren also conducted a “fire awareness training” programme with the slogan “Fire prevention is better than fire fighting,” on April 18. The programme was conducted at Jalukie town, the IPR stated.

The training event was part of the National Fire Service Week observed every year in commemoration of the 66 fire fighters who laid down their lives in the line of duty on April 14 1944 during the catastrophic Bombay Dockyard incident.

In his welcome address, second office in charge of the division SL Kezhalelhou Sachu appealed to the public to take note of the demonstrations shown to them concerning what to do and what not to in case of fire emergencies; care maintenance and safety of LPG; rescue techniques and bandages; use and operation of fire extinguishers, and ‘demonstration on LPG fire,’ the updates stated.

Personnel from various government departments and members of the public from in and around Jalukie town attended the training, the IPR stated.

Phek
Likewise in Phek district, Fire Service Week was observed in Phek’s town council hall on April 18. During the district officers appealed to the gathering to ‘know how to handle fire incidences,’ the IPR informed. Fire and emergency officials also cautioned the public to be careful about “electric circuit as most often fire incidents are caused by electric circuit. They requested the people to keep portable extinguishers, the IPR added.

Wokha
The Wokha division of the Fire & Emergency Services also conducted a programme to mark Fire Service Week. The programme was conducted with the slogan ‘Fire Prevention is better than fire fighting,’ the IPR informed. The programme was conducted on April 18 at the public ground in Wokha.

The extra assistant commissioner of Wokha, Riku Khutso, addressed the event, the updates stated. He said, ‘Looking at the context of our society, fire safety education and awareness is poor.’ He urged the department to take the day as an opportunity to “take fire service to the people” and generate awareness among the public.

Further, the officer was quoted as having stated that the public must be educated to take precautionary measures to “prevent harmful fire accidents.” Likewise, they need to be educated in survival skills and safety measures during fire accidents, he said.

Khutso spoke to the gathering about some basic fire safety measures that the public can take. Lauding the services rendered by the firemen and establishment, he said “We sleep in peace because these firemen stay awake round the clock to ensure our safety.”

Later in the programme, rescue techniques and a demonstration in the use of fire extinguishers were shown by the Fire & Emergency Services personnel, the IPR added.