Coimbatore Fire and Rescue Department's Safety Drive Pays Off as Deepavali Fire Accidents Decline Compared to Last Year

Coimbatore: Coimbatore district recorded only seven minor fire accidents during Deepavali this year, marking a significant decline compared to the previous year, according to the Fire and Rescue Services Department.

Under the directions of the Director of Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services, Joint Director (Western Region) Vijayakumar and Coimbatore District Fire Officer K. Ganesan, mobilisation and preparedness activities were undertaken at all Fire and Rescue Services stations across the district from Friday to Tuesday. A total of 240 officers and personnel were deployed, excluding a few who were on emergency leave.

As part of the Deepavali safety drive, the department conducted a 10-day fire safety awareness campaign in schools and colleges, demonstrating safe methods of bursting firecrackers without causing accidents. Awareness messages were also displayed on 28 digital banners installed by the Coimbatore Corporation.

According to the department, public awareness campaigns were conducted using vehicles at crowded locations, bus stands and commercial complexes within the city limits. Pamphlets were distributed to educate the public on firecracker safety. To ensure public safety, standby support arrangements were also made with vehicles at six important locations across the city.

As a result of these preventive measures, only seven minor fire accidents involving firecrackers were reported in Coimbatore district this year, a considerably lower figure compared to the previous year. Five men and five children sustained minor injuries and received outpatient treatment.

District Fire Officer K. Ganesan also visited all Fire and Rescue Services stations across the district and distributed sweets to officers and personnel in recognition of their work and to boost their morale.

The department stated that the swift preventive measures undertaken this year had helped keep the number of fire accidents to single digits.