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Delhi minister directs regular fire audits; awareness campaigns and drills planned
Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood directed regular fire safety audits of schools, colleges, hospitals and night shelters, and urged awareness campaigns and mock drills with civic groups. The meeting also focused on modernization, equipment, response times, and inter-department coordination for emergency management. He called for broader public safety measures including home fire safety equipment upgrades.
Why It Matters
The directives aim to strengthen Delhi's emergency response and fire safety infrastructure amid urban growth, potentially reducing risk and improving preparedness across public and private spaces.
Timeline
4 Events
Long-term fire safety master plan and inter-department coordination
May 11, 2026
The fire department was asked to prepare a comprehensive fire fighting master plan for the next three, 15 and 25 years. The minister directed convening an inter-departmental coordination meeting involving Delhi Police, Delhi Development Authority, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, power discoms, Delhi Cantonment Board and other civic agencies to strengthen disaster management and emergency response.
Public awareness campaigns and home safety incentives
May 11, 2026
Sood directed officials to coordinate with resident welfare associations, market bodies, religious committees, clubs and other social organisations to conduct fire safety awareness campaigns, including 'Do's and Don'ts' during fire incidents, and to encourage residents to install sprinklers and smoke detectors.
Discussion on modernization and emergency preparedness
May 11, 2026
The meeting discussed improving firefighting equipment availability, procurement of new fire vehicles, and the modernisation of the fire department. It also covered improving response time, upgrading internal communication, and developing a modern command and control mechanism, along with advanced technical training for personnel.
Delhi Home Minister chairs fire safety review meeting
May 11, 2026
At the secretariat, Home Minister Ashish Sood chaired a review meeting with senior and divisional officers of the Delhi Fire Services. He directed regular fire safety audits of schools, colleges, hospitals and night shelters and called for involvement of resident welfare associations, market bodies, and other social organisations in awareness campaigns and mock drills to bolster emergency preparedness across Delhi.