Odisha CM Announces 300 New Firefighter Positions and Advanced Training Facilities

Major Developments in Odisha's Fire Service

Bhubaneswar: On Saturday, Odisha's Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced plans to recruit an additional 300 firefighters by the end of this year. He also revealed intentions to create a state-of-the-art simulator for advanced firefighter training.

During the Passing Out Parade (PoP) for 911 newly trained firefighters, Majhi mentioned the establishment of a premier scuba diving center at Ramchandi beach, located near Konark.

Furthermore, he stated that a national-level water efficiency and life-saving training facility will soon be operational at Ramchandi.

While addressing the attendees, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of physical fitness for firefighters, urging them to maintain both physical and mental well-being to effectively serve the community.

Majhi praised the Odisha Fire Department for its exceptional performance, asserting that it has established a notable reputation across the nation. He remarked, "The Odisha Fire Department and its firefighters are among the best in the country."

In the past year, the state's 346 fire stations have responded to approximately 50,000 emergency calls, saving 7,599 lives and rescuing 17,000 individuals during emergencies.

He highlighted the need for continuous learning and skill application, stating that the government is implementing various initiatives to enhance training quality. A Rs 10 crore simulator will be developed to provide modern training and prepare firefighters for challenging scenarios.

Additionally, a national-level water efficiency and life-saving training center, costing Rs 12 crore, will be established at Ramchandi, along with a world-class scuba diving training facility at a budget of Rs 10 crore.

At the event, the Chief Minister also unveiled a theme song titled 'Firefighter' for the public and participated in a tree-planting initiative.