Safety call rung out, firemen honoured with awards
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 15 2025: Under the directive of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Manipur Fire Service commenced observance of National Fire Service Week from April 14 to 20 under the theme "Unite to Ignite, a Fire Safe India" .

The week-long programme aims to raise awareness about fire safety and prevention across the state through various outreach initiatives.

The observance commemorates the Victoria Dock, Bombay explosion of April 14, 1944, in which 66 fare personnel lost their lives while responding to a fire on board a ship laden with explosives.

The event is marked annually to honour their sacrifice and reaffirm commitment to public safety.

In Manipur, the Fire Service Department was initially set up under the Manipur Police department in 1957 and later became an independent directorate in 1991.With 19 fire stations and a workforce of 288 personnel, the department has been playing a vital role in emergency response, including natural disasters such as floods, landslides, and forest fires.

During the 2024-25 financial year, the department responded to 1,223 fire and special service calls, rescuing lives and saving property worth crores of rupees.

As a preventive measure, it also conducted 1,000 fire safety audits and mock drills across educational institutions, hospitals, hotels, and industries, with over 2,000 employees trained in basic fire safety.

The department has recently established new fire sub-stations at Nambol, Sekmai, Loitang Khunou, and Lamlai Sawombung, with more in the pipeline at Khumbong, Porompat, Litan, Noney, Tadubi, Saikul, Wangjing, Heirok, and Lilong.

It is also working to modernise its fleet with advanced firefighting equipment, including foam tenders, water bowsers, motorcycles with firefighting units, and hydraulic platforms.

In recognition of their outstanding service and unwavering commitment to public safety, four personnel from the Manipur Fire Service have been conferred the prestigious Award of Commendation Certificate and Disc by the Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards, Ministry of Home Affairs.

The recipients of this national-level honour included sub-officer of Fire Station Imphal Amakcham Jillangamba Singh; fireman of Fire Station, Imphal Okram Ningthem Meitei; fireman of Moreh Fire Sub-station Md Isha Ahmed; and fireman of Churachandpur Fire Station Ngulkhomang.

In addition to the national commendation, 10 personnel from the department have been selected for the prestigious 'Best Fire Fighter of the Year, 2025' award.

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