Bhopal, Apr 14: Fire Station BHEL Bhopal on Monday observed the National Fire Service Day at 10 in the morning by paying homage to the martyres who sacrificed their lives while fighting fire in Victoria Dockyard Terminal on April 14, 1944, by laying of wreath by chief guest MK Dube, General Manager (Hydro), SK Sinha Commandant CISF, RK Dixit, GM. Two minutes silence was observed by all as a mark of respect to the brave fire fighters who shed their lives for thenation.

A pledge was administered by MK Dube to all CISF personnel and BHEL employees that they would strive their level best to reduce fire incidents in BHEL by spreading fire perevention awareness and adhering to fire safety norms. Dube in his address maintained that most of the fire incidents could be prevented and loss could be minimised, if all the citizens become a bit more fire conscious.

It's the sense of complacency and carelessness in the minds of most of the citizens in observing elementary fire prevention that are responsible for the colossal losses, he added.

SK Sinha, Commandant CISF said that the observance of fire service day provides a unique opportunity to educate the employees of BHEL in fire prevention and fire safety measures to avoid direct and indirect losses as well as to ensure safety to human lives.

P Vinod Asstt Commandant (Fire) in his address stressed on need to flow fire prevention in the day-to-day life. He gave a detailed description of fire accidents on April 14, 1944 in cargo ship, Uphar Cinema fire, Meerut exhibition fire, Tirunelveli Mental Asylum fire and Calcutta commercial building fire. He said all these incidents were caused due to sheer ignorance of fire safety norms.

He informed about the programme to be conducted during the fire service week from began from April 14 which include first aid fire fighting class and demonstration for employees of BHEL at various blocks and for children in various schools.

Essay and poster competition for school children, quiz for ladies and slogan and extinguisher competion for the employees of BHEL will also be organised.

Dubey also released a booklet on fire prevention in industries and RK Dixit flagged off the fire tender for spreading awareness amongst the general public in township area.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Joseph Alexander.