·     Function held to mark beginning of Fire Services Week
The Fire Brigade & Emergency Services Department, which works for saving lives of citizens when caught in fire, will be strengthened by Nagpur Municipal Corporation. NMC provides different services to the people through various schemes but this department personnel run the risk and provide very important service to them, said Radhakrishnan B, Administrator and Municipal Commissioner, here on Thursday.
He was speaking at a function organised by the department to mark Fire Services Week at the lawns of NMC in its central office in Civil Lines. Deepak Kumar Meena, Ram Joshi, both Addl Municipal Commissioners, Nirbhay Jain, Ravindra Bhelawe, Deputy Commissioners, and Rajendra Uchake, Chief Fire Officer, were among those who were seated on the dais. They paid floral tributes to martyrs Gulabrao Kawale, Prabhu Kuhikar and Ramesh Thakre and accepted guard of honour.
Radhakrishnan further said, the work of extinguishing fire is to be done without any loss of time and the personnel of Fire Brigade risk their own lives to save others trapped in the fire. Yesterday’s budget of NMC for 2022-23 has provided highest funds for this department to provide them security by adopting modern techniques. Moreover, recruitments of candidates on 100 posts would be made in the near future for strengthening capacity, considering the increasing population and phenomenal growth of the city.
In his introductory remarks, Rajendra Uchake explained the background behind Fire Service Day mentioning that one S S Fort Sticking ship that arrived from London via Karachi to then Bombay Port on April 14, 1944 exploded. The tragedy occurred when 66 firemen while fighting lost their lives. The day is observed all over the nation in order know their sacrifices while performing duty, he added.
On the occasion, the guests gave away prizes to winners in the annual drill competition. Manish Soni, PRO, conducted the programme while B P Chandankhede, Dy Chief fire Officer, proposed a vote of thanks.Â