Thiruvananthapuram: Home minister Ramesh Chennithala announced that the state government will recruit 1,000 retired military personnel as home guards to further strengthen the operational capacity of Kerala fire and rescue services.
Deployment and Duties
“They will be deployed for disaster response and service duties, including traffic management,” he said at a news conference on Wednesday. Chennithala stated that the decision was made in view of rising disaster situations and growing public safety needs in the state.
Modernization Plans
“Government will prepare an action plan for the force’s overall modernization, taking into account climate change and increasing frequency of disasters. The goal is to equip the force in a professional manner so it can meet public needs more effectively in changing circumstances,” he said.
“With the fire force emerging as a crucial frontline unit in disaster situations, it is believed that additional manpower will improve the force’s efficiency. Procedures are progressing to procure sky lifts and small lifts to effectively tackle fires in high-rise buildings,” he added.
Training and Awareness
“In the context of climate change, people will be given self-protection training. Disaster awareness and civil defence training will be intensified in residential associations and schools. A decision has also been made to expand statewide programmes that provide swimming lessons to children and apartment residents. Survey procedures will begin in areas that are prone to fire hazards,” the home minister said.
Chennithala noted that the situation has changed from earlier times, when the state depended on the Navy and NDRF, and that the fire force has now become the first team to reach disaster zones.
