Srinagar, Jan 17: Announcing that about 700 far flung and remote villages besides all panchayats of five border towns would be equipped with fire extinguishers, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, P K Pole stressed the need for involving community for fire safety in the valley.
Director Disaster Management J&K Aamir Ali said Pole said that in Kashmir most of the houses are made up of wood which is vulnerable to fire so it is important to frame area specific solutions for all hazards including Fire because accessibility is an issue.
Pole was speaking at a Webinar on Fire Safety Measures in Winter which was jointly organised by National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), Institution of Engineers (India) J&K State Centre, Srinagar in collaboration with J&K Fire and Emergency Services, SDRF, Divisional Administration Kashmir and State Emergency Operation Centre.
The webinar was inaugurated by Dr B Srinivas, Director General, Fire & Emergency Services and Commandant General CD, HG and SDRF.
Pole appreciated Fire & Emergency Services for doing an excellent work but suggested that in far-flung areas it become a challenge due to the difficult terrain and the localities become vulnerable to fire.
He issued instructions to Director Rural Development (RDD)Kashmir to procure 2 to 3 multipurpose Fire extinguishers, for all Panchayats of Karnah, Keran, Machil, Gurez and Tulail blocks and also around 700 far-flung villages in hilly areas which have limited road access in winters.
These Fire Extinguishers shall be procured by the RDD and placed at the disposal of the respective Panchayats. Volunteers shall be identified in each Panchayat and they will be imparted fire-fighting training, so that it strengthens the Community level Disaster Management teams and encourages them to be part of the Disaster management set-up. He directed that fire extinguishers shall immediately be procured by the Heads of Department and installed in all Government offices.
He directed that Ghats on River Jhelum shall be identified by Joint Director Fire Services, where facility shall be made available for drawing water by mobile pumps, in case of any fire incident in the locality. He appreciated the organisers for holding this most important webinar.
The panelists included RC Sharma, Former Director Delhi Fire Service, Ravi Kumar Panditta Commandant 7th Bn, NDRF from Bathinda Punjab, and Bashir Ahmed Shah, Joint Director F&ES Kashmir.