Patna: In a bid to strengthen fire safety preparedness and public awareness across the state, the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA) on Friday convened a high-level planning meeting ahead of Fire Safety Week, scheduled from April 14 to 20. The session, held at the authority’s headquarters in Patna, was chaired by Vice-Chairman Dr Uday Kant and attended by authority members, department secretaries, and district-level officers both in person and via video conferencing.
The meeting outlined a comprehensive eight-point action plan, focused on statewide outreach, community engagement, deployment of resources, and technological integration for early fire detection and response.
Awareness at the Grassroots
A major thrust will be on public outreach campaigns including street plays, Prabhat Ferries, Suraksha Rath, and mobile LED screenings, aimed at educating people on fire safety. Hoardings, pamphlets, and school-based activities will also form part of this broad-based initiative targeting both urban and rural communities.
Targeted Firefighting Measures
Instructions were issued to pre-position firefighting vehicles at vulnerable locations, including fire-prone panchayats and block levels. Localised awareness drives will be conducted in identified hotspots to bolster community readiness.
Real-World Training and Simulations
To build capacity, mock drills involving the NDRF, SDRF, and Fire Services will be conducted. Residents will be trained in first aid and fire response protocols, supported by live demonstrations and community interaction.
Data-Driven Fire Risk Mapping
In a move that reflects Bihar’s growing reliance on tech-based governance, satellite data and weather inputs will be leveraged to identify fire-sensitive zones. The Bihar Meteorological Service Centre, in collaboration with ISRO, will provide real-time alerts to fire stations about high-risk areas—those experiencing extreme heat, low humidity, and dry westerly winds.
Urban vs Rural Action Plans
The strategy includes a focus on curbing electrical fires in urban areas—especially those caused by short circuits—with an emphasis on banning substandard electrical wiring. In rural regions, panchayats will be empowered to lead fire response efforts, backed by community volunteers trained by the authority.
Water Access and Community Power
Ensuring readily available water sources in every village was stressed as a key priority. Programmes will involve active participation from ‘Aapda Mitra’ volunteers, NCC cadets, Civil Defence teams, and Scouts & Guides, building a collective safety network.
A Closer Eye on Patna
A special task force has been formed for Patna district, led by ADM D.P. Shahi, to identify urban fire hotspots and coordinate rapid response efforts.
Speaking at the event, Dr Uday Kant highlighted the importance of leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning in real-time disaster alert systems. He expressed concern over the surge in urban fire incidents caused by short circuits and urged regulators to crack down on substandard wiring in the market.
Authority member P.N. Rai underscored the need to expand training for fire service personnel and maintain adequate resources at all levels. He advocated deeper grassroots involvement through local volunteers and village-level water readiness.
From the Bihar Fire Services, Inspector General Sunil Kumar Nayak presented the week’s proposed activities, including extensive community outreach by fire brigades. Meanwhile, Dr Prabhu from the Meteorological Service Centre showcased a predictive model using temperature and wind data to pre-empt fire incidents.
The session was moderated by Dr Jeevan Kumar, senior advisor to BSDMA, and attended by senior officials from the Panchayati Raj, Energy, Health, Education, and Disaster Management departments.
