Fire safety norms essential, not harassment: CM to industries

CM Pramod Sawant on Monday attended an event to observe National Fire Service Day at the Fire Force Training Ground in St Inez.

Photo Credits: Narayan Pissurlenkar

PANAJI

Amid concerns over lax enforcement of fire safety measures in several industries and residential complexes, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday urged the public not to view stringent fire regulations as a form of harassment but as essential safeguards for life and property.

Speaking at the State-level event to observe National Fire Service Day at the Fire Force Training Ground in St Inez, Sawant said the norms laid down by the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) are to ensure safety from the earliest stages of construction.

“These norms are meant for the safety of the people who will occupy these buildings. People should not look at them as harassment. It is better to take precautions rather than wait for a tragedy to happen and then call for help,” he said.

The CM also announced that the government is considering a long-pending proposal to provide a fire risk allowance to firefighters and officers, acknowledging the hazardous nature of their work. “The government is considering the long-standing demand of offering a Fire Risk Allowance to firefighters from this financial year,” he said.

Highlighting Goa’s disaster preparedness initiatives, Sawant said the State is the first in the country to have built 11 multipurpose cyclone shelters with funding from the Centre.

“The Central government has extended assistance worth Rs 340 crore for the development of these 11 cyclone shelters. In addition, 40 well-equipped mitigation centres are currently being used temporarily by the Fire and Emergency Services and police. In the long term, they will play a key role in disaster management,” Sawant, who also holds the Home portfolio, added.

He commended the fire department for its dedicated service, noting that timely responses had saved property worth Rs 44 crore over the past year.

DFES Director Nitin Raiker echoed the CM’s sentiments and acknowledged that despite robust protocols, fire incidents continued to occur due to human error or accidents.

Raiker presented key statistics for 2024–25, stating that the department responded to 9,773 fire and emergency calls comprising 3,147 fire-related and 6,626 other emergency incidents. These included the rescue of 403 human lives and 815 animals, and the saving of property valued at Rs 44.36 crore.

Goa has also trained 350 Aapda Mitras and Aapda Sakhis, who now serve as community volunteers equipped to assist in emergencies across the State.