Lok Sabha Question No. 3986 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-25
Subject: Fire Stations
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Smt. Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3986

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 25 TH  MARCH, 2025/ CHAITRA 4, 1947 (SAKA)

FIRE STATIONS

3986. SMT. SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the total number of fire stations and disaster response units operational in Odisha;

(b) the details of new fire stations sanctioned and operationalized in Odisha during the last three financial years;

(c) the steps taken by the Government to upgrade firefighting equipment and recruit additional personnel in Odisha; and

(d) the details of collaboration between National Disaster Response Force (NDRF),  Odisha  State  Disaster  Management  Authority  (OSDMA)  and  local authorities in handling fire and disaster incidents?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) to (d) Fire  Services  is  a  State  subject  and  has  been  included  as  a Municipal function in the XII Schedule of the Constitution of India under Article 243 (W).  It is the primary responsibility of the State Governments to take necessary measures for strengthening and equipping Fire Services in the area of their jurisdiction.

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 3986 FOR 25.03.2025

It is completely under the purview of the State Government to establish new fire stations, upgrade firefighting equipment and to recruit additional Fire Service Personnel as per their need and requirement. As per the information made  available  by  the  State  Government,  at  present  there  are  346  Fire Stations in the State of Odisha.

Recognizing the need for expansion and modernization of fire services in the States, Fifteenth Finance Commission recommended a provision of Rs.5000 crore  for  strengthening  the  fire  services  at  a  state  level.  The  Central Government has launched a 'Scheme f or Expansion and Modernization of Fire  Services  in  the  States'  on  04.07.2023  from  the  Preparedness  and Capacity Building Funding Window under the National Disaster Response Fund for strengthening fire services in the States with a total Central outlay of Rs. 5,000 Crore. The detailed scheme is available at https://www.mha.gov.in/en/commoncontent/policies-guidelines.

Under  the  Scheme,  the  States  are  permitted  to  undertake  following activities in order to strengthen the fire services: -

- (i) Expansion  of  Fire  Services  by  setting  up  of  new  fire  stations, strengthening of state training centres and capacity building of the firefighter, volunteers and community in fire prevention measures,

awareness programme etc. 35% of the fund has been allocated for this activity, out of which 5% is for capacity building.

- (ii) Modernization  of  fire  services  by  procuring  modern  firefighting equipment and strengthening of state headquarters and urban fire stations.  The  equipment  to  be  purchased  includes  hydraulic platform, turntable ladders among others as given in the indicative list circulated to the States along with the Scheme guidelines dated 4 th  July, 2023. 50% of the fund has been allocated for modernization of fire services.
- (iii) Provision has also been made for any State specific demand under which not only the states can raise their demand to top-up their respective ongoing projects requiring additional financial assistance, but also flexibility has been given to them to meet the states specific requirements. 15% of the fund has been allocated for State specific demand.
- (iv) Out of the total allocated fund of Rs.5000 crore under the Scheme, an amount of Rs.500 crore has also been kept for incentivizing the States on the basis of their legal and infrastructure-based reforms.

Under  the  scheme,  Central  Government  has  approved  the  project  for expansion and modernization of fire services in the State of Odisha with a total  financial  outlay  of  Rs.  200.38  Crore,  out  of  which  Rs.  150.29  is  the Central Share from National Disaster Response Fund.  Further, an amount of Rs. 45.09 Crore has been released under the scheme to the State as 1 st Installment.    The  approved  project  envisages  setting  up  of  10  new  fire stations in Odisha as well as strengthening of fire services in the States.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) works in collaboration with State Disaster Management Authority for response during disasters. One Battalion of  NDRF  is  located  in  Odisha  at  Mundali.  During  the  last  five  years,  129 response  operations,  including  during  the  recent  cyclones,  have  been undertaken by NDRF in collaboration with State Disaster Response Force. During  the  period  NDRF  has  conducted  18  Mock  Exercise  and  63 Familiarization Exercise. State Fire Department is taking the assistance of NDRF for training of Odisha fire service personnel in disaster response.

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