Like other parts of the country, Fire Service Day was observed by the Fire & Emergency Services, J&K at all its district headquarters, throughout the State.The main function was held at Fire & Emergency Services, Headquarter Gandhi Nagar Jammu, where Director General Fire & Emergency services J&K, Er. R.S Sodhi, was the Chief Guest. Wreaths were laid on the memorial in memory of the gallant firemen who laid their lives for the noble cause.While speaking on the occasion, Er. Sodhi emphasized the importance of Fire Service Day and Fire Service Week commencing from 14th to 20th April 2016. He recalled the most horrific incident of 1944, when on 11th April a ship Namely S.S Fort Stikine carrying explosive with a few volunteers guarding it, started its journey from Lahore to Bombay and on reaching Bombay Victoria Docks port the ship was engulfed in a devastating fire. The entire Fire Service crew from Bombay Fire Services consisting of 66 officials tried their best but could not save anything and lost their lives during fire fighting. 237 people lost their lives and 476 got critical injuries in the said fire incident.
Since then 14th April is observed as Martyrs day to pay homage to all those personnel who lost their lives.Er. Sodhi stressed upon the officers and jawans of the department to play their role in Nation’s development by launching massive awareness programmes in schools, Colleges and Industries regarding fire safety measure to minimize the loss due to fire. The Director General appreciated the role of Fire Fighters of the department who are doing an excellent job of minimizing the loss during fire accidents.R.T Dubey, Joint Director Fire & Emergency Services Jammu range, A.K Wangoo, Deputy Director Fire & Emergency Services Command Jammu, Dr. Rajnesh Anand, Medical Officer Fire & Emergency Services , Mohammad Maqbool Thoker, Administrative officer Fire & Emergency Services and Tasawuf Amin, Accounts Officer also laid wreath on the memorial.