DIPR
Imphal, April 28 : The Manipur Fire Service Department has been rendering its service 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 man made and natural calamities and accidents. During the year 2015-16, the Manipur Fire Service handled 230 fire incidents. Out of which; 85 fire incidents were of major incidents causing lost of Rs one lakh above, 18 medium incidents causing lost of Rs 50,000/- to Rs one lakh and 127 small incidents causing lost of below Rs 50,000/-. The incidents involved were of residential buildings, shops, commercial establishments, educational institutions, offices, tea stalls, vehicles, unauthorized oil, LPG stores and forest fire. Manipur Fire Service has a Fire station at Imphal and 15 fire Sub-stations at Moirang, Churachandpur, Thoubal, Moreh, Jiribam, Kakching, Ukhrul, Singngat, Mayang Imphal, Bishnupur, Sugnu, Kangpokpi, Tamenglong, Senapati and Chandel. Recently, the government of Manipur has sanctioned for opening of six new fire sub-stations at Yairipok, Wangjing, Tadubi, Saikul, Noney and Nambol. The Manipur Fire Service Department has observed Fire Service Week every year in a befitting manner commencing from 14th April. The observation of Fire Service Week through a series of lectures, demonstrations, Radio & TV talks, group discussion and publicity through posters, banners, leaflets, prints and electronic media is to generate Fire Safety awareness to the general public, students, NGOs and concerned employees. The main objective for observance of Fire Service Day & Week is to commemorate and pay homage to the 66 Firemen and Officer’s who have lost their lives while fighting a major fire in a ship ‘Fort Stikine’ on 14th April, 1994. The functioning of this department was managed in the past two three decades with great difficulties both valley and hills. After the 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.