Today April 14 is ‘National Fire Service Day’. It is a day to pay homage to the courageous firefighters who sacrificed their lives while performing their duties as they follow their motto “Serve to save lives and property” as also to conduct awareness programmes in order to avoid fire incidents. This year’s theme is “Learn Fire Safety, Increase Productivity”. Besides attending to fire calls they also attend to emergency calls. These firemen were the frontline workers when Covid-19 pandemic hit Goa severely. The fire personnel were there to lend a helping hand during Cyclone Tauktae hit Goa in May 2021. It is learnt that the fire personnel were reportedly kept on their toes attending to emergency calls pertaining to uprooting of trees on the roads, residential areas, electric poles, etc. The value of property saved by these brave souls could run into crores of rupees. The personnel also provided necessary help for citizens who were stranded due to the storm. Firemen also help in minor incidents like saving a stray animal having fallen in an open well, etc. A salute to these bravehearts who many-a-times are taken for granted.
