PANJIM: The Goa State Fire and Emergency Services saved 194 human lives and property worth Rs 179 crore in 2023-24, Nitin V Raiker, Director of Fire and Emergency Services said on Sunday.
Speaking at a programme organised to observe the National Fire Service Day, Raiker said, “In spite of all the precautions, fire incidents do occur, either through human error or through accident. During the period 2023-24, the Fire and Emergency Services have collectively attended 8,000 fire and emergency calls (3,000 fire and 5,000 emergency) during which 194 human lives and 757 animal lives were saved. Property worth of Rs 179 crore has been saved due to timely action of the fire personnel.”
The Fire Services Day was held at the GSFES headquarters at St Inez with several live demonstrations by fire fighters.
On the occasion, wreaths were laid at the “Martyrs Memorial Column” at the Fire Force Training Ground, Panaji, by Secretary (Housing) Sanjit Rodrigues, IAS, Raiker and all the ranks from Deputy Director (Fire) to fire fighter.
A signature campaign was undertaken at the training ground as a SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Particiaption) campaign. Two minutes silence was observed by all the officials present in memory of firemen martyrs who laid down their lives while on duty. Raikar explained the significance of the observance of the National Fire Service Day and read out the names of firemen martyrs who laid down their lives while on duty.
In his speech, Rodrigues, who was the chief guest, lauded the efforts of all the fire personnel and commended the department for its disciplined and effective services to the State.
As a part of awareness campaign, a poster competition was organised by the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services in collaboration with the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) for the primary and middle school children of the State on April 6, wherein a total of 2,000 students from schools across the State participated.
