Question : Fire Stations

(a) the total number of fire stations in the country, State-wise;

(b) the criteria adopted for establishment of fire stations in the country;

(c) whether the Government has assessed the requirement of fire stations in the States;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the total funds likely to be provided in this regard, State-wise;

(e) whether the Government has allocated funds for research projects related to fire safety through educational institutions of the country and if so, the details thereof along with the total funds granted and utilized during each of last three years and the current year, State-wise; and

(f) the total funds granted for construction of quarters of fire service during the said period, State-wise including Odisha?

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

(a) to (d): Fire services have been included as a Municipal function under Article 243 (W) in the XII Schedule of the Constitution of India. It is therefore the primary responsibility of the Municipal Bodies and the State Governments to provide adequate number of Fire Stations. The information on number of fire stations is not maintained centrally.
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RS.US.Q.No.1053 FOR 22.11.2016
The Standing Fire Advisory Council (SFAC) constituted by the Government of India, having representatives of all State Governments, has laid down certain norms for establishment of Fire Stations, Equipment, Manpower and Fire tenders/vehicles etc. It has recommended establishment of Fire Stations in the
Country based on the response time which is 5 to 7 minutes in Urban areas and 20 minutes in Rural areas. These norms recommended by SFAC are advisory in nature.
The Ministry of Home Affairs engaged the services of M/s Risk Management Solutions Inc. (RMSI) to carry out Fire and Risk Hazard analysis in the country, which inter alia assessed the requirement of fire stations in the country as per the norms recommended by SFAC.
As per the report, the requirement of fire stations in the country is given at Annexure-I. The requirement projected in the report is indicative in nature.
Since fire and fire services are State subjects, it is the responsibility of the State Government to put in place adequate fire services as per the existing local requirement and make necessary budget provisions accordingly. The Central Government supplements efforts of the State Governments from time to time.
(e): There is no scheme in this Ministry for funding research projects related to fire safety through educational institutions of the country.
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RS.US.Q.No.1053 FOR 22.11.2016
(f): Fire Service is a state subject under Article 243 (W) in the XII Schedule of the Constitution of India. 13th Finance Commission has allocated Rs. 472 crore during the period 2010-2015 for development of fire service including construction of staff quarters of fire service to seven States including Odisha. The details of fund amounting to Rs. 404.65 crore released to these States are given at Annexure-II.