Bhubaneswar: Odisha fire and emergency services (OFES) on Tuesday unveiled an artificial intelligence‑driven virtual assistant–Agni Saathi–designed to guide citizens through the agency’s wide range of services.Director general (OFES) Sudhanshu Sarangi described the chatbot as a 24×7 digital companion accessible on any mobile device, offering instant support to residents, entrepreneurs, and property managers on fire safety norms, compliance procedures, and emergency response protocols across the state.The bilingual interface, available in Odia and English, ensures clarity on statutory obligations. Users can easily navigate the process for securing fire safety recommendations (Form II) before construction, obtaining post‑construction safety clearances, and renewing mandatory certificates under Form VI.The platform also simplifies administrative requests, including requisitioning fire tenders and personnel for major public gatherings, guidance on appointing certified Fire Safety Supervisors, and updates on the revised 2025 fire safety regulations.Beyond regulatory compliance, Agni Saathi doubles as a real‑time learning tool, offering step‑by‑step instructions for handling household and workplace emergencies such as LPG leaks, kitchen fires, and electrical mishaps, along with direct links to official helpline numbers.“With Agni Saathi, we are harnessing AI to place fire service governance directly in the hands of people. Compliance should be effortless, transparent, and accessible without physical visits to offices,” Sarangi said.Inspector general of police (OFES) Uma Shankar Dash urged citizens, institutions, and businesses to adopt the platform. “All services are available at agnisathi.odisha.gov.in,” IGP Dash said.
