At mumbai Fire Safety Week 2010, watch city firefighters gather to honour martyred firemen and spread awareness about urban fire safety norms
At mumbai Fire Safety Week 2010, watch city firefighters gather to honour martyred firemen and spread awareness about urban fire safety norms
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High rise apartments and office complexes are familiar in urban Mumbai but with limited fire safety awareness, the city's fire services are afraid of sitting on a ticking time bomb. After all, the fires that ravaged Bangalore's multi-storied Carlton Towers or Stephen Court on Kolkata's Park Street this year, are not one-off incidents and can occur anywhere. "Majority of fires can be prevented; it is negligence and ignorance that leads to mishaps," states MV Deshmukh, Director, Maharashtra Fire Services. Hence, the motto of Mumbai's Fire Service Week 2010 is to ensure a "Fire Accident Free Society" and efforts are being taken from the grassroot level. 
Saga of bravery
The history behind Fire Safety Day dates back to April 14, 1944 when SS Port Stikine, a ship berthed at Mumbai's Victoria Dock and laden with 1,200 tonnes of explosives, cotton bales and oil drums caught fire leading to massive explosions that shook the city. Ships on Prince's Dock and Victoria Dock, as well as buildings along the coast, caught fire and even the road / railway network came to a standstill. A total of 231 personnel belonging to various departments were reported dead or missing, 476 personnel were injured and 66 firefighters belonging to the Bombay Fire Brigade lost their lives. Since then, the day wasu00a0 declared by the British government as Fire Safety Day to honour the firefighter martyrs.
Catch 'em young
"Fire Safety Day is annually marked by a prayer meet and parade at the Mumbai Port Trust. From the next day, competitive drills testing the firefighters' strength and agility are held at the Bandra Fire Station. It includes tasks such as assembling the hose in record time and simulated rescuing of a family stuck in a building on fire," adds Deshmukh. This year, around 2,000 firefighters from across the city will take part in Fire Safety Week. A delegation of firefighters will also meet the Governor to suggest welfare measures. The week concludes at Cross Maidan with a ceremonial parade and distribution of prizes.
Apart from the usual events, this year, the focus is on educating children and residents of high rise societies. "There will be essay writing and drawing competitions in schools and workshops on fire safety measures in Bandra, Nariman Point and Parel," states Deshmukh. Pamphlets will be distributed and firefighters will speak up on television and on the radio as well. The message? It takes a small spark to create a life-threatening fire. Better be safe than sorry.
Till: April 20
Call: 26871144
log on to:u00a0 www.maharashtrafireservices.org
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