Bhubaneswar: Odisha Fire Service has been adjudged as the ‘Best Fire Service’ at the all-India level.
The award was announced during the 15th International Fire Show “Fire India-2021” held at India Expo Centre, Greater Noida from 2nd to 4th December 2021.
The event was organised by the Institution of Fire Engineers.
The Certificate of Merit awarded to Odisha Fire Service as ‘Best Fire Service-2021’ by the Institution of Fire Engineers (India) was in recognition of high standards and continuing excellence in Fire Fighting and Rescue during cyclones and floods in the State and various places in India, said an official press release.
While Tamilnadu Fire Service has been adjudged second, Gujarat Fire Service has ranked third.
Odisha Fire Service has brought laurels to the State by rendering efficient service at the time of natural disasters in other States also.
The agency has earned high praise for its service during ‘Hud Hud’ in Andhra Pradesh in 2014, rescue of miners in Meghalaya in 2018, Kerala floods in 2018 and Amphan cyclone in 2020 in West Bengal in addition to its services in the State during cyclones Titli, Bul Bul and Fani.
Odisha is the only State in the country where Fire Engines have been provided on the basis of population and the State has the highest number of Fire Engines-342 in the country.
Besides, Odisha Fire Service has a Reserve Force (Striking Force) which exists nowhere in the country.
Further, the State has five ISO certified Fire Station and Training Centre and Fire Stations have been converted into Multi-Disaster Response Centre and services are rendered to the public online.
