Bhubaneswar: State govt has sanctioned Rs 2.4 crore for the Odisha fire and emergency service (OFES) to strengthen its role in reducing road accident fatalities.Outgoing transport secretary Usha Padhee wrote to OFES director general Sudhanshu Sarangi on Friday that Rs 40 lakh has been approved for first-aid training programmes for firefighters in medical institutes, while Rs 2 crore will be used to procure medical kits for emergency rescue vehicles. These kits will enable timely treatment of accident victims during the crucial “golden hour”.
Padhee directed that procurement and training be carried out following due procedure, with funds released after completion of the process. She also asked OFES to submit monthly reports on assistance provided to accident victims.Sarangi said firefighters will receive advanced training in lifesaving skills, including handling spinal and head injuries, stabilising patients before hospital transfer, safe handling of unconscious persons, and effective administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).Data shows OFES attended 8,172 road accident calls in 2023, saving 8,742 lives. In 2024, it responded to 4,936 calls and saved 5,833 lives.Inspector general (OFES) Uma Shankar Dash said that regular mock drills and simulation exercises will further enhance rescue capabilities. “Fire personnel act as first responders during emergencies. We aim to upgrade the skills of 2,000 personnel in a year, ensuring at least two trained responders in every fire station across the state,” he said.Currently, the fire directorate is equipped with 69 hydraulic tools, 10 advanced rescue tenders, 10 spine board stretchers with head immobilisers, 30 airlifting bags with cylinders, 13 plasma-cutting vehicles and 8 automated external defibrillator (AED) machines to respond to accident-related emergency. Additionally, 25 multi-purpose quick response vehicles are fitted with stretchers and first-aid kits.
