Fire service boost for rescue and disaster management in the state

DIPR
Imphal, Aug. 23 : The Manipur Fire Service Department has been rendering its services with the motto   “We Serve to Save” to the people of Manipur saving precious lives and properties worth several crores of rupees from the clutch of fires and other manmade and natural calamities/accidents.  Fire Service personnel are facing a tough time in containing fires of various magnitude in the prevailing law & orders scenario. After the dreadful disaster of yesteryears in the country as well as recent earthquake in the state, Fire Service Department has geared up for rescue & disaster management in war footing. The ever-increasing populations on one hand and rapid industrialization/constructions of high rise buildings in urban areas on the other, upgradation of fire service organization in the state is called for.
Manipur Fire Service has altogether 16 Station/Sub-Stations distributed in 9 (nine) District Headquarters and 8 (eight) Sub-Divisional Headquarters. The Station/Sub-Stations are Fire Station- Imphal,  Fire Sub-Station- Moirang, Fire Sub-Station- Churachandpur, Fire Sub-Station- Thoubal, Fire Sub-Station- Moreh, Fire Sub-Station- Jiribam, Fire Sub-Station- Kakching, Fire Sub-Station- Ukhrul, Fire Sub-Station- Singngat, Fire Sub-Station- Mayang Imphal, Fire Sub-Station- Bishnupur, Fire Sub-Station- Sugnu, Fire Sub-Station- Kangpokpi, Fire Sub-Station- Tamenglong, Fire Sub-Station- Senapati, Fire Sub-Station- Chandel.
The Department is functioning throughout the state by shuttling its Fire Tender with crews from only 16 Fire Stations. Although this Department is not a direct revenue earning department, Fire fighters are indirectly earning several lacs of rupees for the State Ex-Chequer.
Recently, Govt of Manipur has sanctioned for opening of 6(six) New Fire Sub-Stations at (i) Yairipok, Thoubal District  (ii) Wangjing, Thoubal District (iii) Tadubi, Senapati District  (iv) Saikul, Senapati District (v) Noney, Tamenglong District (vi) Nambol, Bishnupur District.
During 2015-16, Fire Service Department handled  Fire incidents involving  residential buildings, shops, commercial establishment, educational institutions, offices, tea stalls, vehicles, unauthorized oil, LPG stores & forest fire etc.
The total estimate value of property lost in these Fire incidents were Rs.22,33,28661/- approx. while property worth of Rs.63,75,09,299/- approx. could be saved.
Fire Service Organizations all over the country has observed Fire Service Week every year in a befitting manner commencing from 14th April. The topic of this year was “ GNERAL FIRE SAFETY “. The main object for observance of Fire Service Day & Week is to commemorate and pay homage to the 66 Firemen and Officer’s who lost their lives while fighting a major fire in a ship “FORT STIKINE” on 14th April, 1994.
The major emphasis during the Fire Service Week shall be to propagate the theme of the year and to generate Fire Safety Awareness to the general public, students, NGOs and concerned employees through a series of lectures, demonstrations, Radio & T.V. talks, group discussion and publicity through posters, banners, leaflets, prints and electronic medias, etc.