PUNE: “Due to the awareness created on fire prevention, the number of calls to the fire department have gone down by 50% and it is encouraging to note that more youths are coming forward to pledge their support for fire safety. For the first time ever in India, 200 volunteers have been formally officiated as Agni Suraksha Mitras in Pune,” said Chief Fire officer, Pune Fire Brigade Prashant Ranpise.
He was speaking during the week-long ‘National Fire Service Week’ programme which concluded on April 20.
The ‘National Fire Service Week’ is observed every year in remembrance of fire service personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty and serves to raise public awareness on fire safety.
The Fire Service Week saw over 8,500 kids and 90,700 parents and around 11,62,250 general public that participated in the initiatives and learnt about the different fire safety procedures and fire prevention measures.
The week-long campaign kicked off with a tribute to firefighters by fire officers, inauguration and exhibition of firefighting equipment and Safe Kids Foundation booth, roadshows, kids’ carnival, school rally, rangoli competitions, demonstration of fire-drills in hospitals, schools and housing societies, citywide awareness campaign through SKF vehicle, etc.
The key highlights of the campaign this year was the roadshow with 19 fire brigades and induction of 200 fire safety volunteers who have been formally officiated as Agni Suraksha Mitras with an ID card from Pune Fire Department at the concluding finale of the week which was held on April 20, 2019, at the central fire brigade.
Program Director, Safe Kids Foundation India Dr Cinthia Pinto said, “In the last four years, we have been relentless in our pursuit to spread fire safety awareness in Pune and have reached out to over 500,000 students from 1,150 schools and 425,000 parents from 250 communities.”
FIRE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
- Unplug electrical appliances when not in use.
- Faulty wires can lead to electrical fires. So, replace them immediately.
- Do not use electrical appliances with wet hands.
- Do not leave water heating rod unattended.
- Don’t overload your electrical sockets.
- Keep electrical wires tidy and secure when not in use.
- Use of mobile, while charging, can be dangerous.