India, April 16 -- The Delhi government on Wednesday launched a large-scale fire safety awareness initiative titled the "Safe School Campaign," aimed at strengthening safety mechanisms in schools and hospitals across the capital. The campaign was virtually inaugurated by Home Minister Ashish Sood as part of the nationwide "Fire Service Week" being observed from April 14 to 20. The initiative, organised by the Education Department in collaboration with the Delhi Fire Service, focuses on promoting the vision of "Safe Schools, Safe Hospitals, and an Accident-Free Society" by enhancing public participation and awareness about fire prevention.
Addressing the event, Sood emphasized the shared responsibility of safety, stating, "Safety is not just the responsibility of the government, but a collective effort of all." He urged citizens, especially students, teachers, and parents, to actively participate in awareness campaigns and adopt fire safety practices in their daily lives. Highlighting the significance of Fire Service Week, the minister paid tribute to the 66 firefighters who lost their lives in a massive ship fire in Mumbai in 1944. Referring to this year's theme, "Safe Schools, Safe Hospitals and a Fire-Safe Aware Society - Together for Fire Protection," he said that ensuring the safety of children remains the top priority.
Sood also underlined the performance of the Delhi Fire Service, noting that it attended 36,877 emergency calls in the past year. He said the department is continuously upgrading its technology and training capabilities to improve emergency response. Encouraging students to stay prepared, he remarked, "Do not fear fire, but stay aware and prepared to deal with such situations." He stressed the importance of mock drills and demonstrations in schools, calling them crucial for saving lives during emergencies. The Home Minister further revealed that over 1,000 awareness camps have been conducted so far, training more than 50,000 citizens.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.