Odisha Fire Service Praised for Saving Lives and Property Worth Rs 598 Crore in 2025
The government of Odisha commended the Odisha Fire and Emergency Service on Thursday for its exceptional role in saving thousands of lives and protecting property worth Rs 598 crore in the year 2025 alone. Chief Secretary Anu Garg highlighted the department's performance during a review meeting, emphasizing its critical contributions to public safety.
Impressive Statistics from 2025
According to official data, the Odisha Fire and Emergency Service responded to a staggering 20,991 fire incidents last year. In these operations, they successfully rescued 9,547 people and 16,399 animals. Beyond the human and animal lives saved, the service prevented massive financial losses by safeguarding property valued at Rs 598 crore.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg praised the firefighters not only for their firefighting prowess but also for their versatile disaster-response capabilities. The personnel handle a wide range of emergencies beyond fires, including road accidents, building collapses, drowning incidents, and other crises. On average, they respond to more than 200 emergency calls daily, showcasing their relentless dedication.
Focus on Reducing Drowning Cases
Garg emphasized the need to further strengthen disaster management services, with a particular focus on reducing drowning cases. The fire service has been actively involved in water rescues, with personnel rescuing 660 people from drowning in 2023, 859 in 2024, and 805 in 2025. This consistent effort underscores their commitment to saving lives in aquatic emergencies.
To enhance these capabilities, Odisha has invested in advanced training infrastructure. Garg cited the example of a new advanced swimming and underwater rescue training centre near Ramchandi beach in Puri district, which was inaugurated in December 2025. Built at a cost of Rs 12 crore, this state-of-the-art facility includes a modern scuba complex designed to improve underwater rescue training and prepare firefighters for complex water-based emergencies.
Role in Road Accident Rescue and Future Training Plans
Fire Service Director General Sudhanshu Sarangi, who attended the review meeting along with IGP Uma Shankar Dash, highlighted the department's crucial role in saving lives during major road accidents. In 2023, the service attended 8,172 accident calls, rescuing 8,742 lives, and in 2024, they responded to 4,936 calls, saving 5,833 people.
Sarangi stressed that fire personnel often act as first responders during emergencies, making their skills vital. To ensure continuous improvement, the department plans to upskill 2,000 personnel annually. This initiative aims to have at least two trained responders in every fire station across the state. The advanced training will cover lifesaving skills such as:
- Handling spinal and head injuries
- Stabilizing patients before hospital transfer
- Safe handling of unconscious individuals
- Effective CPR administration
The meeting was also attended by Hemant Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, who supported the discussions on enhancing emergency response mechanisms. The Odisha Fire and Emergency Service's achievements in 2025 demonstrate a robust system that not only fights fires but also serves as a multi-faceted rescue force, saving lives and property on a massive scale while planning for future challenges through targeted training and infrastructure development.
