By OUR STAFF REPORTER
DEHRADUN, 19 Apr: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the Fire Service Week event at Police Lines here on Saturday. As part of the celebrations, the Chief Minister honoured seven firefighters who excelled in the Third All-India Fire Service Games and two recipients of the DGFS Disc Medal awarded by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The CM also flagged off 20 new fire tenders and vehicles to bolster Uttarakhand Fire Service and witnessed demonstrations by the firefighters. He announced plans to open new fire stations in Bhimtal, Dwarahat, Gauchar, Purola and Sahastradhara, establish a world-class training centre for fire services, and provide a Rs 10,000 incentive to personnel who served during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.
It was shared during the event that since the formation of Uttarakhand as a separate state today, the firefighters from the state have saved properties worth over Rs 53,000 crore and have rescued more than 27,000 people and 7,000 animals. The CM expressed pride in the increasing involvement of women in the state’s fire and emergency services.
Dhami asserted that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance, the state government has prioritised infrastructure enhancement and equipment modernisation for fire services. The central government has sanctioned Rs 71 crore for Uttarakhand Fire and Emergency Services, while 18 new fire stations and world-class firefighting gear are under development.
He added that mapping fire stations based on Uttarakhand’s geography will ensure better coverage in remote areas. The CM also recalled the pivotal role of fire services during natural disasters like last year’s incidents in Kedarnath, Tanakpur, Khatima, Arakot, and Raini, calling for proactive efforts to combat forest fires.
It was claimed that the upcoming preparations for the Char Dham Yatra will also see significant contributions from fire and emergency personnel. Uttarakhand Fire Service is conducting awareness campaigns highlighting fire damage and prevention across the state.
Those who attended the event included Dehradun Mayor Saurabh Thapliyal, Home Secretary Shailesh Bagauli, DGP Deepam Seth, Chairman of Uttarakhand Public Service Commission Ravi Dutt Godiyal, Chairperson of Child Protection Commission Geeta Khanna, and various others senior police officers.
