Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government held a significant review meeting on Wednesday at the Conference Hall in Lok Seva Bhawan, chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg. The meeting focused on the Fire Services, Emergency Services, Home Guards, and Civil Defence operations. Director General of Police (Fire Services), Dr. Sudhanshu Shadangi, presented key initiatives to strengthen Odisha Fire Services and outlined future strategies.
He highlighted that, as per the Disaster Management Act, Odisha Fire Services personnel are the first responders in incidents such as fires, road accidents, train mishaps, building collapses, drowning cases, and other emergencies. On average, they handle around 200 emergency calls daily.
Fire-fighters not only save human lives but also rescue animals, setting an exemplary model of selfless social service. The state operates 346 fire stations across urban and rural areas to ensure prompt response. In 2025, the department received approximately 20,991 fire-related calls and provided immediate assistance, saving property worth about Rs 598 crore and rescuing over 100 people. Additionally, in various accidents, 9,547 individuals and 16,399 animals were successfully rescued. To enhance coordination and efficiency, several major steps have been implemented.
A 24-hour State Command Center has been established at Baramunda in Bhubaneswar, enabling rapid action and real-time monitoring during crises. In December 2025, the Chief Minister inaugurated a dedicated training center near Konark at Ramchandi for water rescue and underwater search operations.
A K-9 dog squad has been formed with 10 trained dogs deployed across cities for rescue missions. The upgraded Fire Services Portal 2.0 has streamlined fire safety licensing, renewals, and third-party audits, promoting ease of doing business. Gender equality measures include renaming the “Fireman” post to “Fire Fighter” or “Agni joddha”, with plans to recruit women fire fighters soon. Social media is actively used for public awareness.
Recent initiatives include recruiting 911 new Agni joddhas, filling vacancies, integrating Civil Defence with fire services, signing an MoU with the Tourism Department for lifeguard training in hotels (a first in India), specialized training in areas like scuba diving, first aid, surge rescue, K-9 handling, and command center expertise, establishing an Injury Management, Recovery, and Rehabilitation Center for personnel, deploying modern Incident Command Vehicles, providing battery-operated systems for high-rise rescues, supplying PPE kits to all stations, and ensuring regular fitness checks. Special campaigns like “Visit Fire Station Today” on Saturdays allow students, local leaders, Anganwadi workers, and NCC cadets to visit stations for awareness and training on fire safety, drowning prevention, snakebite response, and more.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg emphasized strengthening fire services to protect lives and property from accidents, calling for effective measures to reduce annual drowning deaths. She urged fire-fighters to play a pivotal role in this challenge. Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Hemant Sharma praised the Agni joddhas for their vital contributions to fire safety, industry, tourism, and emergency aid across society.
