Odisha To Recruit 300 Firefighters, Launch Rs 32 Crore Training Infrastructure
Key Points
911 firefighters inducted; 300 more posts to be filled by year-end
Rs32 crore investment in simulator, water rescue, and scuba training centres
Bhubaneswar, Aug 23: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a series of transformative initiatives to strengthen the state’s firefighting capabilities during the Passing Out Parade (PoP) of 911 newly trained firefighters in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.
Speaking on the occasion, CM Majhi praised the Odisha Fire Department for its exemplary performance, stating, “Our firefighters are the best in business across the country.” He highlighted that in the past year alone, the state’s 346 fire stations responded to nearly 50,000 emergency calls, saving 7,599 lives and rescuing 17,000 people.
To further enhance operational readiness, the CM revealed plans to recruit 300 additional firefighters by the end of 2025. He also announced the establishment of a world-class simulator at a cost of Rs10 crore to provide advanced training for handling complex emergencies.
In a major boost to coastal rescue operations, Majhi shared that a national-level Water Efficiency and Life-Saving Training Centre will soon be operational at Ramchandi near Konark, with an investment of Rs12 crore. Additionally, a scuba diving training centre—also at Ramchandi—will be developed at a cost of Rs10 crore to train personnel in underwater rescue techniques.
Emphasizing the importance of physical and mental fitness, Majhi urged all firefighters to maintain peak readiness to serve the people of Odisha. He also called for the adoption of modern skills and technologies to meet evolving challenges in disaster response.
The event concluded with the launch of a theme song titled “Firefighter” dedicated to the courage and commitment of the force, followed by a ceremonial tree planting by the Chief Minister.
