Patna: DM Thiyagarajan S M on Monday appealed to residents to strictly follow fire safety standards set by the disaster management department and Bihar Fire Services to prevent incidents during the fire-prone period from March 15 to June 15. He said that strong westerly winds during this time increase fire risks, particularly in rural areas where crop fields, granaries, and standing crops face severe damage.The DM instructed disaster management officials to launch widespread public awareness campaigns to sensitise people about safety protocols. He announced “Agni Suraksha Saptah” (Fire Safety Week) from April 14 to 20, 2026, with intensive awareness drives in villages and cities.He emphasised adherence to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and timely advisories issued by the department, noting that even a small flame can escalate rapidly if not controlled promptly.Thiyagarajan directed the officials concerned to ensure all fire hydrants (govt and private) remain functional, fire vehicles and pumps are maintained in operational condition round the clock with drivers and resources ready, and electric wires are installed at safe heights (over 12 feet) for easy access by fire tenders.Patna district has 88 active fire vehicles, including three water bowsers (12,000 litres each), 22 water tenders (over 5,000 litres each), 39 mixed-technique vehicles (350 litres water + 50 litres foam), five hydraulic platforms, five foam tenders, and 12 bullet bikes. There are nine fire stations, including six urban and three rural, with subdivision-level officers. The response time stands at two minutes, which the DM praised and directed to maintain.“For gas cylinder safety in kitchens, residents should keep safety caps tied, check for leaks with water, store cylinders upright, place stoves higher than cylinders, shut regulators first, keep wet cotton cloth and water buckets handy, install portable ABC-type extinguishers, and avoid loose clothing or leaving stoves unattended. In rural areas, maintain drums of water, sand buckets, soaked gunny bags, battery lights, and ready pumps/pipes near ponds; avoid smoking near threshers or granaries and improper electrical wiring,” Thiyagarajan said.The DM called for village-level route charts for sensitive spots, functional walkie-talkies in vehicles, and public dissemination of “Do’s and Don’ts” via different channels, hoardings, and campaigns.He said, “In major incidents, officials will reach sites promptly for relief, including aid such as polythene sheets, cash, clothing, medical care, and house damage surveys within 24 hours. The administration remains committed to coordination across departments for effective prevention and response, urging citizens to stay vigilant and report incidents immediately.
