National Fire Service Day 2023 | Theme, History and Significance of NFS Day week - April 14
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| National Fire Service Day 2022 |
National Fire Service Day 2023 | Theme, History and Significance of NFS Day Week - April 14
National
Fire Service Day: April 14th is observed
as National Fire Service Day also known as "MARTYR'S
DAY" every year in India to tribute those brave firefighters who
sacrificed their lives in the line of duty during the fire and massive
explosion at Mumbai dockyard on April 14, 1944.
It is worth noting that the National
Fire Service Day - April 14 is observed and not celebrated as we pay
homage to the martyr and conduct an awareness program to avoid such situations
in a timely manner.
This day is
the symbol of the discipline, courage and dedication of the firefighters as
their motto is "Serve to save lives and property".
In India, on
April 14 of each year, all firefighters as well as civilians pay tribute to
those courageous firefighters who sacrificed their lives in the performance of
their duties.
Theme for National Fire Service Day April 14, 2023
"Learn Fire Safety, Increase Productivity"
"अग्नि सुरक्षा सीखें, उत्पादकता बढ़ाएँ"
------ declared on 15th Feb 2022 by DGFS, Ministry of home affair.
History of National Fire Service Day, April 14th
During
World War II, at Mumbai Victoria Dock, the SS Fort Stikine freight carrying a
mixed cargo of cotton balls, oil drums, gold and tons of explosives
(ammunition), halted overnight. Everything was normal, but on April
14, 1944, the ship caught fire and was destroyed in two giant
explosions, scattering debris, sinking surrounding ships and fires in the area
killing around 800 people.
The
sequence of the incident was explained as
1.
The cargo ship SS Fort Stikine left Birkenhead on February 24, 1944 and arrived
at Victoria Port of Mumbai via Karachi on April 12, 1944.
2.
At approximately 2:00 pm, the crew observed smoke on board and called the fire
crew to identify the source of the fire and extinguish it.
3.
The quayside fire crew and dock crews were unable to contain the blaze and were
also unable to locate the source due to the dense smoke.
4.
The firefighters tried lot to control the fire, but the situation worsened, the
fire was out of control and, therefore, around 3:50 pm, the full evacuation
order was given to all emergency responders. But the firefighters were still
doing their job and suddenly the first explosion occurred which split the ship
into two parts. The impact of this explosion was recorded 12 km away where the windows
of the house shattered.
5.
After the first explosion, many firefighters were injured and shifted to a
medical center. However, the courageous firefighters did not give up the fight
with the fire and new firefighters arrived at the scene of the emergency, they
continued to fight the fire. Unfortunately, the second massive explosion
occurred and it was so powerful that it was recorded by seismographs in Shimla,
a town over 1,700 km away. The sound of an explosion was heard 80 km away.
6.
Debris and burning materials spread the fire to the slums and neighboring
buildings. The entire Victoria dock was destroyed, 11 nearby ships sank and the
blaze covered approximately 2 square kilometers.
7.
First responders at the site suffered heavy casualties and approximately 66
firefighters lost their lives.
Many
people were killed outside the wharf area by falling shells and shells that
exploded on impact. The canals near the quays were full of obstacles and much
of the land was completely devastated. It took four days to put out the main
fire, and for another two weeks smaller fires continued through the ruins.
A
total of 231 people assigned to the various services died and 476 were injured.
Outside the docks, more than 500 civilians were killed and 2,408 others
injured. 13 ships were lost, 50,000 tonnes of ships were destroyed and an
additional 50,000 tonnes were severely damaged.
The
Standing
Fire Services Advisory Committee (SFAC) was formed by the Ministry of home
affair on the recommendation of the Conference of Fire Chiefs of India in 1955
and was subsequently revised to expand the number of members to include all representatives
of the state government, representatives of all the union territories and other
central ministries. At the first meeting, the SFAC recommended adhering to a
fire prevention week across India once a year, which was implemented
immediately.
In
1965, at its eleventh meeting, the Committee decided that there should be a day
designated each year as “Fire Service Day”. They also
suggested observing this day on April 14 each year to commemorate
the brave firefighters who lost their lives in the pier explosion in Mumbai on April
14, 1944. In Nov 1966 it was officially declared.
Significance of Nation Fire Service Day and Fire Service Week
April 14 is observed as National Service Day
every year across India to pay homage to the brave firefighters who scarified
their lives in the line of duty while fighting the fires. Even after the incident at the Mumbai dockyard
on April 14, 1944, while fighting the fire, so many firefighters lose their
lives every year and therefore on April 14 of each year, respect and homage is
paid to these brave firefighters. To prevent such fire and explosion incidents,
it is necessary to organize several fire safety awareness programs for
civilians, schoolchildren and industry.
Each year, the Directorate General Fire
Services and Civil Defense publishes the theme for organizing various fire
safety programs during observance of Fire Services Week from 14th
to 20th April in order to educate the general public about the need
to minimize losses from fires. The DGFS also called on Industries, city fire
brigade and various advertising media to make the fire safety program effective
in order to ensure that the advertising campaign generates the maximum public
impact.
DGFS also provide electronic mass printing
and awareness materials that can be reproduced as required to publicize fire
safety widely to the community.
The fire safety awareness program may
include
1. Training in fire prevention and protection
with demonstration
2. Essays, slogans and posters competition
3. Distribution of fire badges
4. Use of the media and the Internet
5. Observance of Fire Service Day
6. Fire safety audits
7. Mass awareness program including fire evacuation
drill in schools
8. Fire Mock drills in industries
9. Hose, Hydrant drills and rescue drill for workers and firefighters. etc.
Theme for National Fire Service Day April 14, 2022
"Learn Fire Safety, Increase Productivity"
Theme for National Fire Service Day April 14, 2022 in Hindi
"अग्नि सुरक्षा सीखें, उत्पादकता बढ़ाएँ"
Last year theme for National Fire Service Day April 14, 2021
"Maintenance of Fire Safety Equipment is key to Mitigate Fire Hazards"
Last year theme for National Fire Service Day April 14, 2021 in Hindi
"अग्नि सुरक्षा उपकरणों का रख-रखाव आग के खतरों को कम करने के लिए महत्वपूर्ण है"
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