Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said that the role of fire stations and the men employed therein become more important during the present times as many more towns and cities were cropping up. He stressed the need to equip the employees of the department with latest techniques of fire fighting modes.He was presiding over the concluding ceremony of a week long Fire Safety Week at Baldeyan near Shimla on late Tuesday evening.He said that as a result of massive fires 17 people lost their lives during last year whereas 257 lives were saved by the Fire brigade team. Apart from this, property worth Rs. 1248 crore was saved from being engulfed in the flames.The Chief Minister lauded the role of the fire brigade team and assured to fulfill the demands of the employees.
He said that recently the government had accorded approval to fill 70 posts in various fire stations in the State. The government will also consider expanding the services of the department and to strengthen the fire brigade wing. He said that adequate financial assistance would be given as per the need for renovation of fire hydrants and to purchase the modern fire fighting equipments.Earlier, ADGP Shri S.R.Mardi welcomed the Chief Minister.The fire fighters also displayed demos on the occasion and also took out an impressive march past.MLA Shri Anirudh Singh, State Youth Congress President Shri Vikramaditya Singh were also present on the occasion amongst senior officers of the State government and family members of the employees of the department.