Lok Sabha Question No. 1385 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-25
Subject: Fire Safety
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1385

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 25TH JULY, 2017 / SHRAVANA 3, 1939 (SAKA)

FIRE SAFETY

1385. SHRIMATI DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  action  taken  by  the  Union  Government  in  consultation  with  the  State Governments for proper fire and safety system in various cities as due to sharp urbanization and rising construction of high rise buildings, there is lack of proper fire fighting system; and
- (b)  the  action  taken  by  the  Union  Government  in  consultation  with  the  State Governments for providing proper trained manpower for fire and safety system as there is lack of proper trained manpower in this field?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) The Fire Services is a State subject and has been included as a municipal function  in  the  XII  Schedule  of  the  Constitution  of  India  in  terms  of  Article 243(W).  It  is  the  primary  responsibility  of  the  municipal  bodies  and  the  State Governments to provide proper fire safety system in various cities.

The  Government  of  India  has  an  advisory  role  in  effective  maintenance  and modernization of fire services. The Standing Fire Advisory Council (SFAC) under the  Chairpersonship  of  Directorate  General  (Fire  Service,  Civil  Defence  and Home Guards) meets from time to time to examine the problems of fire services in the country and recommend suitable measures to upgrade Fire Services in the

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 1385 FOR 25.07.2017

country.  Based  on  recommendations  of  37 th   meeting  of  SFAC,  part  -IV  of  the National Building Code of India, which deals with Fire and Life Safety of building and high rise structures, have been updated in 2017.  The State Governments have been advised to incorporate and implement the fire safety provisions as mentioned in the latest National Building Code in their building bye-laws.

Further, the Government of India, in the past has provided financial assistance to States for modernization of fire services in the country.

(b)  States have their own Training Centres to cater training need of their Fire Service personnel.

Besides, the Government of India established the National Fire Service College (NFSC), Nagpur in 1956 with the aim to provide training to the Fire officers of the country  in  advanced  techniques  of  fire  fighting  and  rescue.  NFSC  provides training to fire service personnel and award  certificates, diplomas, and advanced diplomas on successful completion of training. Further, NFSC, Nagpur has introduced four year Bachelor of Fire Engineering (BE) Course from 2015-16. Since inception, NFSC, Nagpur has trained more than 18,000 personnel.

The  Government  of  India  has  approved  upgradation  of    National  Fire  Service College at a cost of Rs. 235 crore with an objective to make it a world class institution.  The  upgradation  would  increase  the  training  capacity  from  380  to 1450.

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