Srinagar, Apr 14 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES) Department on Tuesday said fire incidents in the Union Territory have declined by 25 per cent. It said drop was due to large-scale awareness campaigns and improved response systems.
Speaking to reporters, ADGP F&ES J&K Alok Kumar, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the Fire Service Week aims to sensitise people about fire prevention, safety measures, and the role of the public during emergencies.
“Every year from April 14 to 21, Fire Service Week is celebrated to raise awareness among people about fire prevention and safety. The idea is to educate citizens on what needs to be done to prevent fires, what precautions should be taken, and what a common person should do in case of a fire incident,” he said.
Kumar said the department has been actively engaging with the public since August 2022 through a sustained awareness campaign across Jammu and Kashmir.
“We started a fire awareness campaign in August 2022, and so far, more than 10,700 awareness programmes have been conducted across J&K. Around 10.7 lakh people have been trained in first fire aid and preventive measures,” he said.
Highlighting the impact, the ADGP said there has been a notable reduction in fire incidents. “If we compare with last year, when fire incidents had increased due to rising temperatures, this year we have recorded a 25 per cent decline. Around 1,975 fewer fire incidents have been reported,” he said.
He said the department has also significantly reduced losses during fire incidents. “We have been able to save property worth more than Rs 5,000 crore, while the overall losses have been limited to around Rs 300 crore,” he said.
On technological preparedness, Kumar said the department is equipped with modern firefighting tools and continues to upgrade its systems. “We have all the latest technology available globally. Our teams continuously monitor new developments, and equipment is procured on priority. The department is fully capable of dealing with all types of fire incidents,” he said.
The ADGP stressed the importance of regular training for personnel. “Our firefighters are regularly sent to the National Fire Service College in Nagpur for advanced training. Additionally, since 2024, we have established a training school in Bari Brahmana, Jammu, where hundreds of personnel are trained in batches to keep their skills updated,” he added.
Meanwhile, the F&ES Department, in a statement issued to KNO, said the week-long observance is intended to educate people about preventive actions to avoid fire outbreaks, safety protocols to follow, and the role of a common person in responding effectively in case of a fire emergency.
The department called for timely reporting of fire incidents so that firefighting personnel can reach the spot quickly and bring the situation under control.
Since August 2022, the department has been running a sustained fire awareness campaign across Jammu and Kashmir, the statement said, adding that more than 10,700 awareness programmes have been conducted so far, and approximately 10.7 lakh people have been trained in first fire aid and preventive practices.
The number of incidents has come down by 25 per cent, with around 1,975 fewer fire-related cases recorded, it added.
The F&ES department said it has been successful in minimising losses. "We have saved more than Rs 5,000 crore worth of property, while total losses have been limited to around Rs 300 crore," the statement said, adding the department is equipped with the latest technology available globally.
To ensure continuous training and skill upgradation, firefighters are regularly sent to the National Fire Service College in Nagpur, the department said, adding that a training school has been established in Bari Brahmana, Jammu, since 2024, where regular training sessions are conducted, and hundreds of personnel are trained in batches.
The department has urged citizens to cooperate during Fire Service Week and remain vigilant about fire safety in their homes, workplaces, and public spaces—(KNO)