Sonowal all praise for firefighters

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, April 18: State Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal has said that a budget provision of Rs 58 crore has already been made to immediately construct and complete 19 Fire & Emergency Services Station buildings during this fincial year so as to modernize the force.

Taking part in the Fire Service Week 2017 at 4th APBn in the city today as the chief guest, Sonowal said that fire servicemen have set an example of selfless service to society and saved countless lives and property by dedicatedly performing their duties taking great risks on their lives. He said that the government is going to take all necessary steps to modernize the force.   

“Starting with the first Fire Station at Silchar in 1956, State Fire & Emergency Services has undergone great transformation, both in organizatiol and technical capabilities. At present, it has 124 sanctioned and 6 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, Sonowal said that Assam has more fire stations than some of the bigger States in the country and the Service is fully equipped to handle any exigencies.

Informing that the fire service personnel attended to 2946 fire calls and saved property worth Rs. 291 crore in Assam in 2016-2017, Sonowal said that Fire and Emergency Services Organization has made great stride during last one year by being the first organization 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 State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in rescuing 6,583 human lives and 47 animals in flood, landslide etc., in 2016, the Chief Minister said that the State Government is expediting recruitment of third company of (SDRF) to augment the strength of already existing two companies of SDRF.

Presenting the Chief Minister’s Medal for outstanding service to selected Fire Service officials for rendering sterling performance during duty, Sonowal said that people have taken the Fire Service into confidence for delivering commendable service during crisis.

Media and legal advisers to the Chief Minister Hrishikesh Goswami and Shantanu Bharali, Chief Secretary VK Pipersenia, DGP Fire & Emergency Services AP Rout and other top officials were present on the occasion.