Six firemen from Maharashtra were conferred with the ‘Agnishman Seva Padak,’ while five employees were awarded the ‘Civil Protection Medal.’

New Delhi : On the occasion of the 78th Independence Day, the Union Home Ministry conferred the ‘President’s Medals’ for outstanding work in the field of firefighting and civil defense. This included a total of 11 employees from Maharashtra.

The ‘Rashtrapati Padak,’ as well as the ‘Shaurya Padak’ and the ‘Utkrishta Seva Padak’ for meritorious services, are awarded annually to fire service, civil defense, and home guard personnel. For the year 2024, 59 jawans have been awarded the ‘Agnishman Seva Padak,’ including six firefighters from Maharashtra.

Santosh Sridhar Warrick, Chief Fire Officer, was awarded the ‘President’s Medal for Distinguished Service,’ while five jawans were awarded the ‘Meritorious Service Medal’ for their gallantry and valor.

Nationwide, four personnel were awarded the ‘Rashtrapati Agnishaman Seva Padak’ for outstanding service, 55 personnel received the ‘Agnishaman Seva Padak’ for meritorious service, and 14 employees received civil defense medals. Of these, six firefighters from Maharashtra were included in the ‘Agnishman Seva Padak,’ and four employees from Maharashtra were awarded the ‘Civil Defense Medal’ for meritorious service.

Officers from the state awarded the ‘Fire Service Medal’ and ‘Civil Defense Medal’ include:

• President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) – Fire Service Medal: Santosh Sridhar Warrick, Chief Fire Officer.
• Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) – Fire Service Medal: Kishore Gyandev Ghadigaonkar, Divisional Fire Officer; Anant Bhiwaji Dhotre, Deputy Officer; Mohan Vasudev Toskar, Lead Fireman; Mukesh Keshav Kate, Leading Fireman; and Kiran Rajnikant Hatial, Fire Officer.
• President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM) – Civil Defense Medal: Ashok Bovaji Olamba, Havaldar.
• Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) – Civil Defense Medal: Nitin Bhalchandra Vayachal, Principal; Shivaji Pandurang Jadhav, Jailer Group-1; Deepak Suryaji Sawant, Subedar; and Janardan Govind Wagh, Constable.