In the face of grave emergency and danger, the efforts and performance of the Department in rescue and relief operations have been widely appreciated by the media and the public. This exemplary performance is the outcome of the planned modernization and expansion of the Department, which has been systematically undertaken with consistent support from this Government. This Government believes that the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Department as the prime Disaster Management Agency must be adequately equipped for its tasks, and has undertaken concrete measures to enhance the Department’s capabilities accordingly. Updated equipment has been sanctioned and procured, and more than 100 new fire fighting vehicles have been inducted into the Department. Funds have also been sanctioned liberally for the procurement of fire-entry suits, chemical protective suits and fire resistance gloves. In terms of priorities, while focusing on technical upgradation and modernization, the Department has not lost sight of the importance of appropriate training, which is systematically undertaken for its Personnel at all levels. The Disaster Management Authority set up by the Government has given the responsibility of formation and training of Search And Rescue teams to this Department, and its role has been enhanced to contribute to the planning and preparation for tackling major disasters. The importance given to and concern of this Government for the safety and security of the people is reflected in the constitution of the Fire and Rescue Services Commission. This is the first Commission on Fire Services ever to have been set up in any State in India. The Commission has recently submitted its report, and its recommendations are under the consideration of the Government.

With the motto "We Serve to Save", the Fire and Rescue Services Department works with a service motive. The Personnel of this Department spring into action the moment there is threat to life or property due to fire, flood, building-collapse or other mishaps. The Department also performs standby duty at the time of temple festivals, law and order problems and big gatherings where a fire can cause injury to life and property. The fire-fighting role of the Department also includes rescue and ambulance services.

Apart from fire-fighting and rescue operations, the Fire and Rescue Services Department also plays a role in preventing fires in multiple ways, by creating public safety awareness, ensuring strict implementation of laws and rules and by performing an advisory role in all matters related to fire-safety, floods and other calamities.

Apart from accidental fires, floods, earthquakes, and other natural calamities, the Fire and Rescue Services Department must also work hand-in-hand with other agencies such as the Police Department, Revenue Department and Medical Services in order to counter threats of terrorist attacks, caste and communal clashes etc. The Department is also prepared for handling chemical leaks, fires in multi-storeyed buildings, and fire outbreaks in congested and over populated urban areas with difficult access.

Natural calamities like cyclones, floods and landslides are not new to Tamil Nadu. The administrative machinery of the State is fully geared up and tuned to effective handling of such disasters. Fire and Rescue Services as an important wing of this disaster management machinery has never lagged behind in performing its role when such disasters occur.

On 8-7-2003, the Government constituted a high-level Disaster Management Authority, and the Director of Fire and Rescue Services is also a member of this Authority. The Authority has been meeting periodically, and has adopted a multi-dimensional approach to disaster-prevention, and its management and mitigation.

The earthquake in Indonesia on the morning of 26^th December, 2004, was followed by a devastating Tsunami that caused unprecedented deaths and extensive damage to property. Severe ensuing problems, such as outbreak of epidemics and starvation deaths were predicted by Western experts. However, the prompt and effective clean-up operations carried out by various agencies of the Government including the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services belied their fears, and the outbreak of epidemics was effectively prevented.

The Tsunami has re-emphasised the point that there is no room for complacency, and that the Government is committed to preparing the Department for facing such challenges and any future contingencies that may arise.

Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Department works under the administrative control of the Home Department, and is headed by a Director. Four Deputy Directors assist the Director, each heading one of the four Regions in the State. The Regions are divided into 29 divisions, and each division is under the control of a Divisional Officer. Each Division has 4 to 16 Fire and Rescue Services Stations. A Fire and Rescue Services Station is the basic functional unit of the Department. There are 280 Fire and Rescue Services Stations in the State. 1 Rescue Station has been established at Hogenakkal. New Fire and Rescue Services Stations are established wherever necessary, following the criteria that at least one Fire and Rescue Services Station should be available within a radius of 25 Kilometers, covering a population of 50,000 and the likelihood of fire hazards with a loss of property of Rs.50,000/- or above. A Station Officer holds charge of a Fire and Rescue Services Station. 12 Divisions have Fire Prevention Wings. A State Training Centre, located at Tambaram and working under the control of a Director (Course), conducts training for the personnel of this Department as well as for others, on a nominal payment. There is a State Workshop in Chennai which works under the supervision of the Director (Course). 

An Organisational Chart showing the organisational structure of the Fire and Rescue Services Department is appended as Annexure-I.

The Department has an executive and ministerial strength of 6606. Divisional Officers, Automobile Engineer (State Workshop), Station Officers, Junior Assistants, Typists and Steno-Typists are recruited by the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission. Direct recruitment of Firemen is done by the Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board.

This Government, with its commitment to giving equal opportunities to women and removing the gender bias, issued orders on 12.10.2001 to amend the relevant Service rules so as to pave the way for the entry of women into the Force, and for their appointment at the levels of Divisional Officer, Station Officer and Firefighters. In January, 2003, orders were issued amending the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Rules so as to recruit women for the post of Divisional Officer. Accordingly, two women Divisional Officers were directly recruited and were appointed on 1.8.2003.

With regard to recruitment, the Government has lifted the ban on recruitment in respect of Fire and Rescue Services. Orders in this regard were issued in G.O.Ms.No.993, Home Department, dated:7-8-2004.

To equip the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Department to effectively perform its role of fire-fighting and rescue operations, the Department has been provided with 326 Water Tenders, 80 Ambulances, 13 Small Foam Tenders, 5 Emergency Rescue Tenders, 1 Hydraulic Platform (Simon Snorkel of England), 1 Turn Table Ladder (Isuzu-Morita of Japan), 2 Hydraulic Platform cum Turn Table Ladders of 37 Metres and 42 Metres of Bronto Skylift from Finland, 1 Hose Laying Tender, 51 Water Lorries, 1 Wrecker, 2 Mobile Repair Vans, 228 High Range Portable pumps and 93 Floto Pumps. Apart from these, 61 support vehicles have been provided along with sufficient supporting technical staff.

The Government has sanctioned the procurement of 50 Breathing Apparatus Sets and 164 pairs of a special type of shoes at a cost of Rs.32.31 lakhs in 2004-2005 for use with Chemical Suits and Fire-Entry Suits.

In order to facilitate communication for emergencies, every Fire and Rescue Station has been provided with a telephone. In Chennai 122 low band VHF Wireless sets including Walkie-talkies and Repeater Stations are also functional. 32 HF sets have been installed in sensitive high-risk locations, and are functional.

To further improve communication facilities in Chennai City, the Government of Tamil Nadu has sanctioned a sum of Rs.55 lakhs towards the purchase of latest communication equipment to modernize the Wireless Communication System by the induction of the most modern sets.

Response time is the time taken by the first Fire Tender to reach the spot of a fire accident. The Department constantly strives to reduce the response time in the event of a fire or rescue situation. In Chennai City, the Department has succeeded in restricting the response time to a period of 10 minutes or less. A separate Communication Wing and a Control Room with ‘101’ & ‘102’ telephone connection and wireless sets are available in Chennai City, through which messages can be transmitted quickly to reduce the response time. All efforts are being made to reduce the response time further in mofussil areas.

A Web site for Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services with the address http://www.tn.nic.in/fireservice  is maintained by National Informatics Centre. The website plays an active role in educating the public about fire-safety, and provides information about building-rules and licence conditions.

The Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi has designated the State Training Centre of Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Department as one of the Regional Training Centres in our country for conducting courses offered by the National Fire Service College, Nagpur. Regular courses for Sub-Officers offered by the National Fire Service College for trainees sponsored from various States/Central Government Organisations/ Military and Navy are being conducted at the State Training Centre, Tambaram.

In G.O.Ms.No. 1078, Home (Police-XVII) Department, Dated 2.9.2004, this Government has permitted the Director to produce educative/training movies on CDs by spending an amount not exceeding Rs.10,000/- for each movie, subject to a maximum expenditure of Rs.2 lakhs in every financial year. The educative CDs produced are utilised for imparting the latest knowledge about fire–fighting and rescue work to the Personnel of this Department.

In G.O.Ms.No. 1020, Home (Police-XVII) Department, Dated 16.8.2004, this Government has sanctioned a sum of Rs. 35 lakhs towards procurement of 35 Nos of computers, 2 Nos. of Multi-media Projectors, 4 Nos. of Digital Video Cameras and 7 Nos. of Digital Still Cameras for improving training facilities and for improvement of the quality of administration.

The Fire and Rescue Services Department is maintaining a State Workshop at Chennai for attending to repairs of departmental vehicles and equipment. The Automobile Engineer attached to the State Workshop is empowered to accord technical sanction for estimates for repairs to vehicles, up to a ceiling of Rs.20,000/-. This reduces delay in according technical sanction for repairs to Fire Tenders.

There are 280 Fire and Rescue Stations (FRS) in the State. Of these, 145 are now functioning in their own buildings, 30 in Semi-permanent structures, and 105 in rented buildings. Apart from these, one rescue station is functioning at Hogenakkal in a government building.

For creation of Public safety awareness, the Department has Fire Prevention Wings in 12 Divisions. These Wings teach fire prevention methods in rural and urban areas to reduce fire risks and hazards. Fire prevention education is also being taken up in schools, industries, offices and slums through lectures and demonstration sessions to sensitise people to fire–safety and fire prevention methods. In the year 2004, Fire prevention education was imparted in 3,460 locations throughout the State.

The steps taken for the prevention of fires have yielded dramatic results. The following graph shows the significant decline in the number of fires during the past 3 years:-

This decline is a testimony to the effectiveness of the preventive propaganda undertaken by the Department and is even more dramatic with regard to Deepavali fires in Chennai City as seen in the following graph:-

This Department has proposed to convert 7 Ambulances for use as "Theatres on Wheels", and the Government has also sanctioned a sum of Rs.10 lakhs for procurement of projectors, CD Players and other equipment for these vehicles to educate the public on fire safety in various parts of the State.

In the wake of the gruesome tragedy at a Government aided School in Kumbakonam, this Department has taken the following measures in co-ordination with the Education Department to prevent any recurrence of such tragedies:-

(1) A mandatory fire safety inspection is being under-taken in schools by the Station Officer to ensure adequate provision for entry, exit and emergency exit.

(2) Fire Drills are being conducted based on the request of the School authorities through the local Fire and Rescue Station.

(3) Fire and Rescue Services Department is conducting intensive training for two weeks for Physical Education Teachers who are selected and deputed by the Education Department to serve as Key Resource Persons at State Training Centre. Further, an orientation programme for teachers in Fire Safety for 2 days duration is being conducted at the local Fire and Rescue Services Stations.

(4) Government has issued orders making it mandatory for Schools to obtain a No Objection Certificate from the concerned Station Officer.

In order to channelise the potential of public participation, Safety Volunteers have been registered in Chennai City. This scheme is proposed to be extended to other areas in the near future.

20 Commandos were raised in every District and they have been given intensive training and have become an asset to the Department. These commandos are also being trained for Search and Rescue Operations during disasters.

To tackle fires quickly in slums during summer, fire outposts have been established in Chennai. These outposts are equipped with high capacity synthetic or collapsible water tanks, portable fire pumps with hoses, and wireless sets, and keep a vigil in sensitive areas.

This Department has created specialized teams for various tasks and is also giving due emphasis to drills. The result has been a significant improvement in its fire-fighting and rescue capabilities. This improvement in fire-fighting has increased promptness in handling fire-accidents, and many fires which had the potential of becoming serious or medium fires ended up as simple fires. A comparison of the past three years statistics in the State would indicate the significant improvement in the total number of serious and medium fire calls:-

Rescue Calls received and attended by the Fire and Rescue Services Department mostly relate to emergencies like road accidents, train accidents, accidental fall into wells, attack by insects, inhalation of poisonous gases, building collapses and other natural and man–made calamities. In the last three years (i.e.) 2002, 2003 and 2004, there were 4881, 5219 and 6286 rescue calls respectively. 9336 human lives were saved in rescue calls in the year 2004. This department has played a vital role in handling the Tsunami disaster on 26-12-2004. As many as 1667 persons were rescued by the Department.

f) Paid Calls and Ambulance Calls

Ambulances are available in 80 Fire and Rescue Services Stations. Persons injured during fire accidents and in other emergencies are taken to hospitals for immediate medical assistance. The sick and the injured are transported to hospitals when summoned, on payment of nominal charges. During the year 2004, ambulances were requisitioned on 1,469 occasions. Of these, the number of paid calls were 1,132. Revenue of Rs.2.33 lakhs was realised as hire charges for the paid calls attended to by the ambulances.

The Fire and Rescue Services Department vehicles are utilised during the visits of VIPs and during important conferences and meetings / festivals where huge pandals are erected. Fire and Rescue Services vehicles are also utilised for bandobust and stand-by arrangements. Besides stand-by duty, Fire Units are also provided for private functions on payment of charges. During 2004, an amount of Rs.37.79 lakhs was collected as stand-by charges.

Recently, one of the noteworthy standby arrangements made by the Fire and Rescue Services Department is the continuous standby arrangements for the Tsunami hit areas of Nagapattinam. 12 Water Tenders and 4 ambulances with over a hundred fire and rescue service personnel are still on continuous stand-by duty at the shelters housing the disaster hit inhabitants.    

To motivate the personnel of the Fire and Rescue Services Department to perform their duties more efficiently, and to achieve its desired goals and objectives, the following awards and welfare measures have been instituted and implemented:-

In recognition of outstanding devotion to duty, meritorious service, and gallantry, the following medals instituted by the State Government are awarded to the officers and men of the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Department:-

This medal carries with it a cash allowance of Rs.40/- per head per month for fireman and equivalent ranks and Rs.50/- per head per month for leading fireman/driver-mechanic/ fireman driver/fireman mechanic. For the year 2005, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Fire Service Medal was awarded to 80 Fire and Rescue Services Personnel.

(iii) The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Fire Service Medal for Excellence.

This medal has been instituted by this Government in July 2001 in order to encourage excellence, and to enthuse the Fire and Rescue Services Personnel to perform their duties more efficiently and diligently. 3 Medals are awarded every year, one each to a Station Officer, Leading Fireman and Fireman on Fire Service Day (April 14^th). Each Medal is of 22 carat gold weighing 8 grams. Further, the Medal carries a lumpsum grant for the different ranks- i.e. Rs.3,000/- for the Station Officer, Rs.2,500/- for Leading Fireman and Rs.2,000/- for Fireman. These medals are not given according to seniority, but to those who excel in the performance of their duties.

(iv) Apart from the Awards granted by the State Government, the Fire and Rescue Services Personnel are also awarded medals instituted by the Government of India as follows:-

The Fire and Rescue Services Benevolent Fund, which is in operation since 1962 was created to render financial assistance to members in distress. It promotes their welfare by granting financial assistance to members for the following purposes:-

At present 5,464 persons have been covered by the Fund. A sum of Rs.6.62 lakhs was collected from the members by way of subscription to the Fund. Members under this scheme were granted relief totalling approximately Rs.14.30 lakhs from the fund during the year 2004. The Government has also issued orders enhancing the Government’s grant to the fund from Rs. 3 lakhs to Rs. 4 lakhs.

2. Family Benefit Fund Scheme

An amount of Rs.1,00,000/- each is given by the Government from the Family Benefit Fund to employees who die in harness.

The Fire and Rescue Services Personnel are being given ex-gratia grant as follows:-

4. Group Insurance Scheme

In order to help the families of Fire and Rescue Services Personnel who die while on duty, a Group Insurance Scheme was introduced in 1994. This scheme offers relief to an extent of Rs.1,00,000/- to the family of the deceased personnel.

Food articles such as rice, wheat, rava/ maida, palmolein, toor-dal and black gram-dal are supplied to the Fire and Rescue Services Personnel up to the rank of Assistant Divisional Officer at subsidised rates under the Food Subsidy Scheme. On an average, the Government spends about Rs.50 lakhs on this scheme per year.

Realising the need to improve the quality of service rendered, and also the welfare of Personnel of this Department, the Government has taken the following measures to improve the functioning of the Department:-

(1) In G.O.Ms.No. 993, Home (Police-XVII) Department, Dated 7.8.2004, Government has issued orders lifting the ban on recruitment in respect of Fire and Rescue Services since the Department primarily caters to emergencies.

(2) In G.O.Ms.No.1020. Home (Police-XVII) Department, Dated 16.8.2004, the Government has sanctioned a sum of Rs.35 lakhs towards procurement of computers, digital gadgets etc. for Headquarters and Divisional Offices for improving training facilities, and for office administration.

(3) The Government has sanctioned a sum of Rs.1.43 crores towards procurement of 10 water tenders to replace old ones by availing G.I.C loan for the year 2004-2005.

(4) In G.O.Ms.No. 1078, Home (Police-XVII) Department, Dated 2.9.2004, the Government has permitted the Director to spend an amount not exceeding Rs.10,000/- for preparation of educative/ training movies on CDs, subject to a maximum expenditure of Rs.2 lakhs in every financial year for producing 20 movies. These educative CDs are being utilised for imparting the latest knowledge about fire fighting and rescue work to the Personnel of this Department.

(5) In G.O.Ms.No.1125, Home (Police-XVII) Department, Dated 13.9.2004, Government has formed a new division at Krishnagiri by bifurcating the existing Dharmapuri Division.

(6) In G.O.Ms.No.1133, Home (Police-XVII) Department, Dated 15.9.2004, the Government has sanctioned a sum of Rs.10 lakhs for procurement of projectors, CD Players and related equipment, and permitted conversion of 7 Ambulances as Theatres on Wheels to educate the Public on fire safety in various parts of the State.

(7) In G.O.Ms.No.1220, Home(Police-XVII) Department, Dated 20.10.2004, Government has issued orders for establishing a new Fire and Rescue Services Station at Gas Turbine Power Plant of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board at Tirumakkottai in Tiruvarur District.

(8) In G.O.Ms.No.54, Home (Police-XVII) Department, Dated 18.1.2005, Government has sanctioned a sum of Rs.55 lakhs towards purchase of the latest communication equipment to modernize the Wireless Communication System of the Fire and Rescue Services Department.

(1) The Government has provided a sum of Rs.73.80 lakhs towards procurement of 1 Water Lorry, 7 Ambulances, 2 mini Buses, 1 big Bus and 1 Motor Cycle in the place of condemned ones.

(2) The Government has provided a sum of Rs. 37.05 lakhs towards procurement of 57 Breathing Apparatus sets for use by fire fighters.

The role of this Service focuses now on Disaster Management, and on meeting challenges emerging from the rapid industrialisation and urbanization of our Society. The Department has achieved notable success in reducing the number of serious and medium fires in the State. The innovative measures launched to enhance Public awareness of fire prevention and hazards has yielded excellent results. The exemplary performance of the Personnel of this Department in the wake of the Tsunami tragedy highlights the emergence of this Department as the key agency of the Government for the mitigation and management of mishaps as well as natural disasters. The Department is being expanded and modernized in a well planned and phased manner. The recommendations of Justice Thiru K.S Bakthavatsalam Commission are also under the consideration of the Government with a view to further enhancing and improving the overall performance of this Department. With the continuing support and guidance of the Government, the Department is confident of meeting emerging challenges, and of discharging its primary functions of preventing or minimizing the loss of human lives and property in an exemplary manner.