High-Level Review Meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan
A high-level review meeting on fire and emergency services, Home Guards, and civil defence operations was held on Wednesday at Lok Seva Bhawan. The meeting was chaired by Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg.
During the meeting, senior officials reviewed the functioning, preparedness, and future strategies of the state’s fire and emergency services. Director General of Fire Services Sudhanshu Sarangi presented a detailed report highlighting steps taken to strengthen the capacity and efficiency of the department.
Fire Services Handle Over 200 Emergencies Daily
Officials informed that under the Disaster Management Act, the Odisha Fire Services function as first responders during various emergencies including fire incidents, road and rail accidents, building collapses, drowning cases, and other disasters.
On average, firefighters attend to more than 200 emergency calls every day across the state. Currently, 346 fire stations are operational in both urban and rural areas to ensure quick response during emergencies.
In 2025, the department responded to about 20,991 fire-related calls. Timely intervention by firefighters helped save property worth nearly ₹598 crore. During various rescue operations, 9,547 people and 16,399 animals were successfully rescued, reflecting the crucial role played by the department in safeguarding lives and property.
Modern Infrastructure and Technology Introduced
Several initiatives have been taken to modernise fire and emergency services in Odisha. A 24×7 State Command Centre has been established at Baramunda in Bhubaneswar to ensure quick coordination and monitoring during emergency situations.
A dedicated water rescue and underwater search training centre has also been set up at Ramachandi near Konark. The centre was inaugurated in December 2025 by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
Additionally, a K-9 dog squad comprising ten trained dogs has been deployed in different cities of the state to assist in search and rescue operations.
Administrative Reforms and Recruitment
To improve transparency and efficiency, the department has launched Fire Services Portal 2.0, which facilitates fire safety licensing, approvals, and other services in a simplified manner.
The designation “Fireman” has been replaced with “Firefighter” or “Agnijoddha” to promote gender equality and modernise the force. Officials also indicated that women will be recruited into fire services in the future.
A total of 911 new firefighters have recently been recruited and deployed across different parts of the state, while steps are being taken to fill remaining vacancies.
Training and Public Awareness Initiatives
Fire personnel are being given specialised training in areas such as scuba diving, first aid, search and rescue, forest fire management, accident response, and K-9 operations. Modern incident command vehicles and protective equipment have also been introduced to improve operational efficiency.
To promote public awareness, the department has launched a programme called “Visit the Fire Station on Saturday.” Under this initiative, students, community leaders, Anganwadi workers, and NCC cadets are invited to visit local fire stations and learn about emergency response systems.
Chief Secretary Emphasises Disaster Preparedness
Addressing the meeting, Chief Secretary Anu Garg emphasised that protecting lives and property from disasters is an important aspect of good governance. She urged the fire services department to take effective measures to reduce drowning-related deaths in the state.
Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department Hemant Sharma also highlighted the significant role of firefighters in supporting industries, tourism, and other sectors by providing timely emergency assistance.