Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Fire and Emergency Services has inspected 2,872 commercial, government and non-government establishments across the state in 19 days under its special “Surakhita Odisha, Viksit Odisha” fire safety audit campaign, officials said on Saturday.
The campaign, conducted from September 15 to October 3, was aimed at strengthening fire safety measures and ensuring protection of life and property, according to an official press release.
Of the establishments audited, 959 were in the Southern Zone (Berhampur), 931 in the Northern Zone (Sambalpur) and 931 in the Central Zone (Kataka). A special team led by Chief Fire Officer Debendra Kumar Swain also inspected three establishments.
During the inspections, fire officials checked the validity of Fire Safety Certificates, availability and functioning of required fire-fighting equipment, accessibility of emergency exits and doors, operational status of fire-fighting systems and arrangements for safe evacuation during emergencies.
Officials also conducted awareness and training sessions for establishment staff on safe evacuation procedures, basic fire safety measures and the proper use of fire extinguishers.
Where violations, inadequate fire-fighting equipment or other safety deficiencies were detected, the establishments were issued compliance notices with specified deadlines for rectification. The department said it was ensuring that the deficiencies were addressed within the stipulated period.
The campaign is aimed not only at identifying fire safety lapses but also at strengthening prevention, preparedness, response and safe evacuation systems, the release said.
The Odisha Fire and Emergency Services said the special inspection drive would continue across the state in a more extensive, regular and stringent manner.
