Yogi govt boosts fire safety with Rs 184 crore investment in cutting edge equipment in a year

Lucknow : To strengthen fire safety mechanisms and raise public awareness, the Yogi Adityanath-led government will organize a series of programs across Uttar Pradesh from April 14 to 16, marking Fire Safety Week. The three-day campaign will include various activities such as rallies, essay and painting competitions, lectures, seminars, mock drills, and awareness campaigns in educational institutions statewide.

According to ADG Fire Services Padmaja Chauhan, these initiatives align with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision to enhance public safety and emergency preparedness. The campaign will commence with a Smriti Diwas Parade and Pin Flag Ceremony, followed by three consecutive days of fire safety rallies originating from fire stations across all districts.

In collaboration with schools and colleges, district and tehsil levels fire stations will conduct interactive sessions, including essay writing, painting competitions, and educational lectures for students. In addition, fire safety audits and mock drills will be carried out in multiplexes, shopping malls, hospitals, industrial units, and government offices to assess and improve emergency response readiness. Fire officers will also lead awareness drives in rural areas to ensure outreach in remote communities.

Highlighting the state’s recent advancements, ADG Chauhan stated that the Fire department has been equipped with cutting-edge technologies and resources under CM Yogi’s leadership.

He added, “In FY 2024–25, over Rs 184 crore has been spent on modern vehicles and firefighting equipment procurement. This includes 18 Multi-Disaster Response Vehicles, 3 Articulating Water Towers, 75 First Quick Response Vehicles (FQRVs), 135 Emergency Motorbikes, 36 Water Tenders (4500–5000 liters capacity), 45 Bolero Campers, 16 Isuzu Utility Vehicles, 40 Portable Pumps, 30 Backpack Pumps, and additional equipment worth over Rs 24 crores.”

In 2024 alone, the Fire department responded to 54,801 fire incidents, rescuing 4,252 individuals and 6,540 animals while saving property valued at Rs 8,650 crore. To minimize such incidents, 19 statewide schemes were implemented, resulting in 18,787 mock drills and the sensitization of over 4.37 lakh people.

To address seasonal risks, 69 temporary fire stations were set up at tehsil headquarters during summer (March 1–June 30) and winter (October 1–December 31). Furthermore, the online portal for Fire NOC applications received 44,463 requests in 2024, of which 34,422 have already been approved.

The Yogi government prioritises fire safety as an essential pillar of public welfare, aiming to build a safer and more resilient Uttar Pradesh.