Karnataka - Bangalore

Department of Fire Services starts blog

BANGALORE: The Fire and Emergency Services Department has created a blog, http://blog.ksfes.gov.in/, in order to share information about its activities with the people and the media. The blog comprises news, views and events on a regular basis.

Jija Madhavan Harisingh, Director-General of Police and Director of the Karnataka Fire and Emergency Services Department, in a press release, said anyone could subscribe to the feed and receive updates directly through email. She said the blog would comprise information on various types of fire calls attended, modernisation of the department, opening of new fire stations in the State, safety-related information and awareness on disaster management.

On an average, the department received approximately 9,400 calls a year from across the State. It had succeeded in saving 70 per cent of property involved in fires each year and had also saved about 3,100 lives over the past five years.

It was imperative that such ‘public good’ or ‘service-oriented’ departments were always in sync with public perceptions and requirements, said Ms. Harisingh. There was a need to create sufficient awareness about public safety by making the people aware of their duties and responsibilities. The role of the media in this endeavour was highly significant, she added.

The Fire Services Department, established in 1964, comes under an umbrella organisation consisting of the State Home Guards, Civil Defence and Fire Services. It has the dual mandate of fire fighting and disaster preparedness, the latter being a new addition to its charter of duties.

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