India, May 12 -- The Delhi government is preparing a comprehensive long-term Fire Fighting Master Plan to strengthen fire safety infrastructure and improve emergency response mechanisms across the Capital, Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood said on Monday while chairing a high-level review meeting of the Delhi Fire Services at the Delhi Secretariat. The meeting was attended by senior fire department officials and divisional officers from all six divisions of Delhi. Discussions focused on fire prevention measures, modernization of firefighting systems, procurement of advanced equipment and improving emergency preparedness in view of Delhi's growing population and rapid urbanisation. Also Read - Rescuing lives, restoring dignity Addressing officials, Ashish Sood said, "A long-term Fire Fighting Master Plan will be prepared keeping in mind Delhi's growing population and urbanisation." He added that the government is committed to modernising the fire department to make the capital safer from fire incidents. During the meeting, the Home Minister reviewed issues related to response time, availability of modern fire vehicles, internal communication systems and the proposed command and control infrastructure. He directed officials to strengthen and technologically upgrade the fire safety system to ensure swift and effective action during emergencies. Also Read - Delhi govt tightens dust control norms "Delhi's fire department will be further modernized to make the city safer from fire incidents," Sood said. He stressed that divisional officers must take direct responsibility for fire prevention and control in their respective areas. The minister also instructed officials to conduct awareness campaigns in coordination with RWAs, market associations and social organisations. These campaigns will include mock drills, awareness sessions on "Do's and Don'ts" during fire incidents and preventive safety measures. Sood further directed the Fire Department to conduct regular fire audits of schools, colleges, hospitals and night shelters. He also called for an inter-departmental coordination meeting involving Delhi Police, DDA, MCD, DISCOMs and other civic agencies to strengthen disaster preparedness and fire safety management across the Capital.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.