The android app was launched on April 14, 2015 by Chief Minister, Laxmikant Parsekar. Goa became the first state in the country to get a dedicated smart phone app for fire safety.
Speaking to Herald, Assistant Divisional Officer of Fire and Emergency Services Ajit Kamat said, “We launched this (Fire) app on the occasion of National Fire Service Day on 14th April. Many people have downloaded and are using the android app. 1295 people have downloaded the app so far.”
Designed by the Safety Centre of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Gandhinagar, with the support of Bengaluru-based Underwriters Laboratories India, the app, at the touch of a button automatically sends the precise location of the fire to the nearest fire station and shows fire personnel the shortest route to it.
It has been designed to make emergency calls directly though the app. It also features basic fire precaution tips and advice for people. The app, which works only on phones with Android OS, is available for download from http://bit.ly/1PGr3ua.
Meanwhile fire and emergency services have also placed their order to buy hydraulic Door Opening Kit at the cost of Rs. 5.5 lakh which will reach Goa in 2 months. “We have placed our order to buy a hydraulically operated door opening kit to reduce the amount of damage to property while breaking in,” he added.
He further said that the department is also buying 10 sets of breathing masks and 970 pairs of fire redundant suits. “We have ordered 10 sets of breathing masks at a cost of Rs. 10.5 lakh for the fighters to get into toxic gas during fire emergencies.” He further added, “970 pairs of fire redundant suits are also ordered which will arrive in 2 months.”
