Repeated fire tragedies across Goa highlight the Fire Services Department’s lack of a proactive approach to prevention. Its role must extend beyond extinguishing fires to forming village-level disaster management committees. Despite the North Goa Consumer Protection Council’s suggestion, officials dismissed the proposal, citing annual demonstrations. The Government should introduce monthly Fire Safety Weeks, similar to Road Safety Week. Raising household power loads to 5 kW without checking existing wiring also risks electrical fires. Proposals under Siolim-Marna panchayat’s GPDP for fire extinguishers at public institutions and a hydrant near St Anthony’s Church remain unaddressed. Will the Chief Minister intervene before another tragedy strikes?
Gregory E Dsouza, Siolim
