GUWAHATI, April 18 - Asserting that the fire servicemen have set an example of selfless service to society and saved countless lives and property by dedicatedly performing their duties at great risk to their own lives, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today said the government is going to take all necessary steps to modernise the force.
Taking part in the Fire Service Week 2017 at the 4th AP Bn here as the chief guest, Sonowal said fire fighters through their hard work and dedication have set a high standard in commitment to the cause of society.
�Starting with the first Fire Station at Silchar in 1956, State Fire & Emergency Services has undergone great transformation both in organisational and technical capabilities. At present, it has 124 sanctioned and six ad-hoc Fire & Emergency Services stations,� Sonowal said.
Stating that the present government has sanctioned 42 Fire and Emergency Services stations in this year itself, the Chief Minister said Assam has more fire stations than some of the bigger states in the country and the force is fully equipped to handle any exigency.
Informing that the fire service personnel had attended to 2,946 fire calls and saved properties worth Rs 291 crore in 2016-2017, Sonowal said that the Fire and Emergency Services Organisation has made great strides during the last one year by being the first organisation of the Government of Assam to issue online approval certificates through the single window agency portal under �Ease of Doing Business�.
Appreciating the role of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in rescuing 6,583 people and 47 animals in flood, landslide etc., in 2016, the Chief Minister informed that the State government is expediting recruitment of the third company (of SDRF) to augment the strength of the already existing two companies.
Informing that the State government has made a budgetary provision of Rs 58 crore to immediately construct and complete 19 Fire & Emergency Services station buildings during the current financial year, Sonowal assured of taking all steps for modernising the force.
Presenting the Chief Minister�s Medal for Outstanding Service to selected Fire Service officials for their sterling performance during duty, he said people have taken the fire service into confidence for delivering commendable service during crisis.
Media Adviser to the Chief Minister Hrishikesh Goswami, Legal Adviser to Chief Minister Shantanu Bharali, Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia, DGP Fire & Emergency Services AP Rout and other top officials were present on the occasion.
