Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Fire Service is on alert to tackle the current flood situation in the State. 44 Odisha Fire Service Response Teams have been deployed in the coastal Districts as well as affected Districts towards the rescue and rehabilitation of marooned persons as well as animals. In addition to the above, all Fire Stations in concerned districts are also being utilised as independent teams equipped with ASKA lights, pumps, boats, OBM, power saw, combi tools, etc.
DG, Fire Services, Santosh Kumar Upadhyay, on Tuesday reviewed through Video Conferencing the deployment of Fire Service Teams in various parts of the State. The review meeting was held in presence of Fire Service Additional DG Soumya Mishra, I/C Chief Fire Officer D.K.Swain, and concerned Fire Officers, Deputy Fire Officers, and Assistant Fire Officers from the fields.
Upadhyay appreciated the courageous act of Fire Service personnel in the rescue of four passengers of a private car who had been swept away by flood water near Ghantikhala under Cuttack District, on midnight of August 15. All concerned four Fireman were declared to be awarded D.G. Disc. for their courageous act displayed in the above rescue work at midnight.
Fire Service Teams are actively engaged in road clearance in various parts of the State (due to the uprooting of trees). Fire Service Teams also rescued one Deer near Nrushinghanath and 11 cattle from various flooded areas. Fire Service Teams have already rescued 667 persons till the morning of August 16. Damapada Fire Service Team under Cuttack District has rescued around 400 persons from the marooned area of Kainmundi village near Banki of Cuttack District.
All Officers of Odisha Fire Service have been advised to liaise with respective District Collectors, BDOs, and Tahasildars for effective coordination in order to undertake the rescue work in time. Various senior officers have been given the responsibility of affected Districts. Control Room has been opened at CFO Office, Cuttack to coordinate with field units.
