The National Safety Council of India will organise its annual Fire Service Week from April 14 to 20 by training you to be a First Responder and fight the flames before the fire brigade can take over
The National Safety Council of India will organise its annual Fire Service Week from April 14 to 20 by training you to be a First Responder and fight the flames before the fire brigade can take over
Fire Service Week is organised every year as a tribute to the firemen who lost their lives at the Bombay Dock explosion in 1944, when a fire aboard SS Fort Stikine, a cargo vessel carrying ammunition for war-time Bombay, triggered consequent explosions. 
A fire fighter demonstrates a rescue operation at a city hotel during the
Fire Safety Week celebrations last year
This year, the National Safety Council (NSC) has planned an additional event. It will organise a training camp for First Responders, ordinary people who can play a significant role in the event of an emergency. "In case of a fire, First Responders fight the fire till the fire brigade gets to the location," says Sutapa Bhattacharya, director, NSC.
The camp is an attempt to help small and medium scale industries to train employees to act effectively in case of a fire, and reduce loss. A First Responder is required to summon the fire brigade, evacuate people and tackle the flames till the professionals take over.
"The first three to five minutes are critical, because the fire can be brought under control during this time. It takes the fire fighters at least 10 minutes to get to the spot, by which time damage is done," she says, explaining the necessity of First Responders.
The one-day camp organised at the NSC campus in Navi Mumbai will see talks by safety professionals and fire fighters. "Companies must nominate people who are prompt, can think on their feet and are in good physical shape. They need to be on the company premises. With proper knowledge, anyone can effectively volunteer," offers Bhattacharya.
Participants will be taught how to use fire-fighting equipment and given a lesson on the safety statutes. First responders must create awareness of where fire exits are located and how to use a fire extinguisher.
NSC members conduct safety audits, develop emergency plans, oversee regulated construction of industry buildings and test the preparedness of employees through surveys through the year.
NSC trained a batch of 60 employees at Reliance, Tata and Sai Baba Society to be First Responders in their last camp. The camp is scheduled for April 11 and April 14.
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At: NSC, Plot No 98A, Institutional Area, Sector-15, CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai, 9.30 am
Entry: Rs 1,600 per participant
Call: 27579924
Visit:www.nsc.org.in
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