By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi
Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood on Monday announced an ambitious plan to modernise the Delhi Fire Services, directing officials to prepare a long-term Fire Fighting Master Plan to tackle the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation and rising population density in the national capital.
Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Delhi Secretariat with senior fire department officials and divisional officers from all six divisions, Sood reviewed the capital’s fire preparedness and prevention measures. Discussions focused on response time improvement, procurement of modern firefighting vehicles, advanced communication systems, and the development of a modern command-and-control mechanism.
The Home Minister stressed the need for technological upgradation of the fire safety system to ensure quicker and more effective emergency response. He said the Delhi Government was prioritising the strengthening of fire department infrastructure and machinery to improve public safety.
Sood directed divisional officers to work closely with RWAs, market associations, religious committees, and other social organisations to conduct fire safety awareness campaigns, mock drills, and training sessions on preventive measures and emergency response protocols.
He also asked officials to encourage residents to install modern fire safety systems such as sprinklers and smoke detectors in homes and residential complexes.
The minister ordered regular fire audits and safety reviews of sensitive establishments, including schools, colleges, hospitals, and night shelters, to strengthen emergency preparedness.
Calling for a comprehensive roadmap, Sood instructed the Fire Department to prepare a master plan aligned with the city’s needs over the next 3, 15, and 25 years.
He further directed the Principal Director of the Fire Department to convene an inter-departmental coordination meeting involving Delhi Police, DDA, MCD, DISCOMs, Delhi Cantonment Board, and other civic agencies to enhance disaster management preparedness and improve coordination during emergencies.
