The HinduDate:17/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/17/stories/2008041751520300.htm
Karnataka - Madikeri
‘Fire prevention, do it for life’
Staff Correspondent
Fire Safety Week being observed in Kodagu till Sunday
Karnataka - Madikeri
‘Fire prevention, do it for life’
Staff Correspondent
Fire Safety Week being observed in Kodagu till Sunday
SAFETY FIRST: Fire and Emergency Services personnel participating in a mock drill organised as part of the Fire Safety Week in Madikeri on Wednesday.
Madikeri: For the Fire and Emergency Services officers and personnel in Kodagu, monsoon gives jitters rather than fire incidents and accidents. Pulling out the six bodies from the debris in Mangaladevinagar in 2006 was one of its worst experiences. Saving a few persons trapped in the mound of sliding mud at Indiranagar here last year is still afresh in their memory.
The Fire and Emergency Services is observing the Fire Safety Week here from April 14 to April 20. “Fire prevention, do it for life” is its motto. “We received 94 calls from January to April 3 this year in both Madikeri and Kushalnagar limits, S. Obayya Moolya, in-charge District Fire Officer, told The Hindu.
The number of calls could go up in the coming months. Forest fires were rampant in March. “We were fortunate to receive rain,” he said.
There are two fire stations in Kodagu, one here and the other at Kushalnagar. The fire station at Gonicoppa is ready for inauguration. Mr. Moolya said that 172 calls were received, 97 in Madikeri and 75 in Kushalnagar, to extinguish various types of fires in 2005. It was down to 127 in 2006 and went up again to 187 during 2007.
Property worth Rs. 1.09 crore was destroyed in fire accidents during 2005, Rs. 3.94 crore in 2006, Rs. 3.80 crore in 2007 and Rs. 2.38 crore from January till April 3 this year, Mr. Moolya said.
Only one human life was lost in 2005 and three were hurt. In the six emergency calls received, other than fire accidents such as landslips, floods and others, in 2005, two persons lost lives and one person was rescued. As many as 10 persons died in 2006, including eight in Madikeri limits. Three persons were rescued. The number of calls went up to 33 in 2007, with 27 of them coming from Madikeri limits. Most of the cases related to landslips in and around Madikeri city limits.
As many as 21 injured persons were rescued, Mr. Moolya said. Just two calls were received between January and April 3, 2008. The personnel were involved in standby duties such as accompanying VIPs.
© Copyright 2000 - 2008 The Hindu
Madikeri: For the Fire and Emergency Services officers and personnel in Kodagu, monsoon gives jitters rather than fire incidents and accidents. Pulling out the six bodies from the debris in Mangaladevinagar in 2006 was one of its worst experiences. Saving a few persons trapped in the mound of sliding mud at Indiranagar here last year is still afresh in their memory.
The Fire and Emergency Services is observing the Fire Safety Week here from April 14 to April 20. “Fire prevention, do it for life” is its motto. “We received 94 calls from January to April 3 this year in both Madikeri and Kushalnagar limits, S. Obayya Moolya, in-charge District Fire Officer, told The Hindu.
The number of calls could go up in the coming months. Forest fires were rampant in March. “We were fortunate to receive rain,” he said.
There are two fire stations in Kodagu, one here and the other at Kushalnagar. The fire station at Gonicoppa is ready for inauguration. Mr. Moolya said that 172 calls were received, 97 in Madikeri and 75 in Kushalnagar, to extinguish various types of fires in 2005. It was down to 127 in 2006 and went up again to 187 during 2007.
Property worth Rs. 1.09 crore was destroyed in fire accidents during 2005, Rs. 3.94 crore in 2006, Rs. 3.80 crore in 2007 and Rs. 2.38 crore from January till April 3 this year, Mr. Moolya said.
Only one human life was lost in 2005 and three were hurt. In the six emergency calls received, other than fire accidents such as landslips, floods and others, in 2005, two persons lost lives and one person was rescued. As many as 10 persons died in 2006, including eight in Madikeri limits. Three persons were rescued. The number of calls went up to 33 in 2007, with 27 of them coming from Madikeri limits. Most of the cases related to landslips in and around Madikeri city limits.
As many as 21 injured persons were rescued, Mr. Moolya said. Just two calls were received between January and April 3, 2008. The personnel were involved in standby duties such as accompanying VIPs.
© Copyright 2000 - 2008 The Hindu
