Punjab is all set to have a full fledged fire safety training centre, while a Rs 500 crore plan for strengthening the fire services in the state, Local Government Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu said on Sunday.
The plan has been submitted to the Director General of Fire Services and Civil Defence, he said, adding that the fire services sector has so far been largely ignored which accounted for numerous fire accidents in the state.
Sidhu said he recently met Director General Fire Services and Civil Defence Prakash Mishra, who said it was for the first time that a minister from Punjab has sought funds for fire safety projects and granted approval for the opening of a fire safety training centre.
He said special care would be taken by the state to ensure that no fireman went into the fire extinguishing operations without wearing an ultra-modern fire suit.
He said Rs 270 crore was sought from the central government for setting up fire stations, Rs 86 crore for purchasing aerial ladders, Rs 18 crore for fire suits, Rs 20 crore for quick response vehicles and Rs 23 crore for the training centre.
--IANS
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