THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

PARADIP, APRIL 14, 2026

Paradip Port Authority (PPA) on Tuesday inaugurated National Fire Service Week 2026 at the CISF Fire Wing in Paradip, underscoring its unwavering commitment to fire safety awareness, prevention, and emergency preparedness across all port operations.

Observed annually, National Fire Service Week pays tribute to the valiant firefighters who laid down their lives in the line of duty, while reinforcing the importance of fire prevention among employees, stakeholders, and the wider community. This year’s theme, “Safe School, Safe Hospital & Fire Safety Aware Society – Together for Fire Prevention,” highlights the need for collective responsibility in ensuring safety across critical public spaces.

The week-long observance commenced with a solemn ceremony at the Port Fire Station, where senior officials and staff paid homage to the 66 firefighters who lost their lives in the tragic Bombay Dock explosion of 1944. Floral tributes were offered, followed by the administration of the Fire Safety Pledge, reaffirming the commitment to vigilance and preparedness.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by PPA Chairman P.L. Haranadh as Chief Guest, while Deputy Chairman T. Venu Gopal attended as Guest of Honour. Sanat Kumar Patel, Commandant, CISF Unit, Paradip Port, along with Heads of Departments, senior officials, employees, and CISF personnel, were also present.

Addressing the gathering, the dignitaries emphasized the critical role of fire safety awareness, prompt response systems, and shared accountability in preventing fire-related incidents across industrial, institutional, and residential settings.

PPA Chairman P.L. Haranadh reiterated that fire safety remains a top operational priority for the Port. He stressed that sustained awareness, strict adherence to safety protocols, and continuous capacity building are vital to achieving a “Zero Incident” environment. He also commended the CISF Fire Wing and all stakeholders for their dedicated efforts in strengthening the Port’s safety ecosystem.

Earlier, CISF Commandant Sanat Kumar Patel welcomed the gathering and presented the annual report, outlining key achievements and preparedness initiatives undertaken by the CISF Fire Wing at Paradip Port.

PPA is also expanding its outreach to schools and healthcare institutions within the township, integrating fire safety education into high-occupancy environments to foster a “Safety First” culture beyond the industrial sphere. The Chairman highlighted that building awareness from an early stage is crucial for enhancing community resilience against fire hazards.

As part of the observance, a series of awareness programmes, live demonstrations, competitions, and outreach activities will be conducted throughout the week. These initiatives aim to educate employees, contract workers, students, homemakers, and the general public on fire safety practices and emergency response mechanisms.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Assistant Commandant Shri Akash Jaiswal, who expressed gratitude to the leadership of PPA and CISF for their continued support in advancing fire safety initiatives.

Paradip Port Authority reaffirmed its commitment to modernizing firefighting infrastructure and enhancing the capabilities of its emergency response teams to safeguard lives and critical national assets.