Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Fire and Emergency Services will launch a month-long statewide drive from September 15 to identify and take action against industrial units, commercial establishments and hospitals operating without valid Fire Safety Certificates, Chief Fire Officer (SAG) Debendra Kumar Swain said on Monday.
The special drive, which will continue till October 15, comes in the wake of several fire incidents in recent years that resulted in loss of life and property. The department will focus on establishments that have failed to comply with mandatory fire safety norms, officials said.
Swain said the state government had enacted the Odisha Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Rules, 2017 on September 26, 2017, under the Odisha Fire Service Act, 1993, with the objective of ensuring the safety of citizens. The rules were subsequently amended in 2019 and 2025 to strengthen the fire safety mechanism.
A key change introduced through the 2025 amendment is the involvement of licensed third-party agencies in fire safety inspections. These agencies have been designated as implementation agencies by the department and will inspect various establishments, verify compliance with prescribed safety norms and upload their reports on the designated portal.
“Considering the recent fire accidents and the loss of life and property, we have decided to launch a statewide campaign to identify establishments operating without Fire Safety Certificates,” Swain said while speaking to the media.
During the month-long campaign, the department will undertake a series of measures to improve fire safety compliance and strengthen the monitoring mechanism across the state.
The department will also organise training programmes for Fire Safety Supervisors to improve their skills and knowledge related to fire prevention and emergency preparedness.
Besides, a dedicated Fire Safety Control Room will be set up to coordinate fire safety-related activities. A dedicated WhatsApp number will also be launched to facilitate communication and provide fire safety-related services to the public.
The department is also planning to introduce a fire safety database and mobile application to improve monitoring, maintain records and facilitate access to fire safety-related information.
As part of the initiative, a workshop will be organised with officials from various government departments and agencies, including the Works Department, Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation (OBCC), Higher Education Department, School and Mass Education Department, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), Rural Development Department, and Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department.
Representatives of government and private institutions will also participate in the workshop, where the functioning of fire safety committees and compliance with prescribed safety measures will be discussed.
The department said the campaign is aimed not only at identifying violations but also at creating greater awareness about fire prevention and ensuring that institutions take adequate safety measures to prevent avoidable fire tragedies.
Swain said the Fire and Emergency Services would work with various departments and stakeholders to strengthen fire safety preparedness and ensure wider compliance with the prescribed norms across Odisha.
