A Report – An Honorary week Dedicated to the martyrs of 1944 Mumbai Dock Fire
Every Year 14th April is observed as Fire Service Day in India as a part to pay homage to those brave Fire Fighters, who sacrificed their lives in line to their duty on 14th April, 1944. Industries observe this day / week as Fire Service day / Week and conduct Training, Drills and Rehearsals to demonstrate the Preparedness to combat emergencies.
The Week Kick started & began at the Mumbai fire department's Byculla headquarters as they held a ceremony in order to mark the fire service week which is celebrated between April 14 and 20. The fire service week is celebrated in order to pay respect to the martyrs of the fire department. The inauguration of the Fire Service week was attended by BMC commissioner Ajay Mehta, Actor Randeep Hooda, Prabhat Rahangdale, Chief Fire Officer Mumbai fire brigade, Who chaired the dias.
On the 16th of April 2017 the Maharashtra Fire Services and Mumbai Fire Brigade organized a Fire Rally from Nariman Point up to Vikhroli command centre showcasing their latest Equipment used for Dousing Fire & Rescue operations. This rally was very over whelming as every member of the fire brigade participated in this walking showcase as every passerby was amazed to see the great extravanza of the Fire services. There were kids and youth who clicked pictures with the fire vehicles and some even joined in the amazing rally. Few volunteers even dressed up like fire fighters and joined in the rally.
The Fire Week was ended on the 21st of April as the Fire Brigade had a grand celebration at the Gateway of India & Ggave salvations to late Fire Service Officers & had distribution of trophies for different kind of events that happened during the week. For e.g Tactical Fire Drill, Individual Fire Drill etc.. The fire department honoured their martyrs with the title of a gallantry awards 'Shaheed' in the Fire Service Week 2017 held at the Gateway of India. Four fire fighters including a former Chief Fire Officer had died on May 9, 2015 while fire fighting a blaze in Kalbadevi. They were Chief Fire Officer Sunil Nesarikar, Deputy Chief Officer Sudhir Gopal Amin, Assistant Divisional Officer Sanjay Vaman Rane and Station Officer Madhusudhan Desai. The four died when the building they entered to douse the fire collapsed. The four martyrs' widows and children were honoured with momentos. others honoured included Dadasaheb Malik, Assistant Station Officers and Bhushan P Nimbalkar for their courageous efforts to douse the Kalbadevi fire.
The grand event was attended by top dignitaries as well as Political honchos and celebrities The event was attended by actor Randeep Hooda, Ranjit Patil Minister of State for Home, Manisha Patankar Mhaiskar, Urban development (II) special projects (additional charge), and Prakash Mishra Director General of Home Guard. Ranjit Patil in his speech said that youth and people should never forget the sacrifices made by servicemen and such events should be held to commemorate their selfless contribution. Manisha Mhaiskar said that it was important to focus on prevention of fire. Mishra added that additional funds were being made available to improve the fire fighting service. Apart from them the grand evening also witnessed many of the past fire officers and naval chiefs and top dignitaries.
The evening was wonderfully dazzled as the lights signed on the Gateway of India Monument & the awesome and marvelous evening was given a musical headlined by the Bollywood Duo of Vishal & Shekhar of Pentagram and Saa Re Ga Ma Paa. They not only entertained the people in attendance but also danced and made the crowd to sing along with them with their mystical voices and scales as well as backend support from their professionals and classy musicians leaving a smile on every face and making the Fire Service celebrations a memorable one. They were then felicitated by DK Shami & Mr Prabhat Rahangdale CFO MFB & Directorate Maharashtra Fire Services. The Duo Announced to donate a sum of Rs.5 Lacs to the Fire Department
On the 14th of April the message of fire prevention is carried to the public by means of demonstrations, film shows, Cultural Programs, distribution of pamphlets, Seminar and lectures. The help of mass media like films, television, Radio and newspapers played an important role in the successful execution of FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGE. Fire Service Department also organizes lectures/ demonstrations in schools and colleges and in Places where the management requests on fire prevention. Fire prevention education plays a VITAL role in saving the lives and property of people.
By – Stalin Pereira