Question : Fire Safety

(a) whether fire accidents are on the rise in the country and if so, the details thereof along with the total number of such cases reported, persons died/injured and damage to property during the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(b) the total number of fire stations in each district and the steps taken to increase the number of fire stations as well as to improve the fire fighting infrastructure in the country along with the total funds granted and utilised in this regard during the last three years and the said period, State-wise;

(c) the steps taken by the Government to minimize the response time of firemen to the accident spots in the country;

(d) whether the Union Government has taken any step in consultation with the State Governments to improve the fire fighting infrastructure and fire safety system and ensure adequate number of trained manpower for fire services and safety system in the country and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the other measures taken by the Government for modernization of fire fighting system along with the steps taken to ensure implementation of prescribed guidelines of fire safety in all institutions/buildings in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)


(a) to (e): Fire Services is a State subject and has been included as a municipal function in the XII Schedule of the Constitution of India in terms of Article 243 (W). As such, it is the primary responsibility of the State Governments to take necessary steps to prevent the fire accidents and maintain appropriate statistics. Therefore, data regarding persons died/ injured and damage to property, the number of fire stations and the fire fighting infrastructure in the country is not maintained Centrally.
The Government of India supplements the efforts of the State Governments to minimize the response time by way of issuing advisories and providing financial assistance from time to time to strengthen fire services infrastructure and fire safety system in the country.
It is the responsibility of the concerned State Governments to implement guidelines and advisories.

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