SAMBA: A comprehensive two day Fire Safety Awareness Programme was conducted at AIIMS Jammu under the direction of Director Fire & Emergency Services J&K, Alok Kumar–IPS (ADGP).
The aim was to carry forward the mission of the department to create more and more first responders and foster a culture of safety and preparedness within the campus. The event was designed to inculcate first aid Fire Fighting, Fire Prevention and precautions besides to enhance knowledge and preparedness amongst the staff and students so as to ensure a fire safe environment within the campus.
On Day 1, a detailed and comprehensive Educational Session was conducted which featured an in depth powerpoint presentation session by Assistant Director Fire & Emergency Services Himanshu Gandotra. The participants were acquainted with Fire Safety measures and protocols, emphasizing the importance of being prepared to respond to any fire emergency. The entire staff of the AIIMS Jammu participated in the awareness programme which among others included Director AIIMS Dr. Shakti Kumar Gupta, Deputy Director (Admin) Lt Col Prabhat Sharma, Senior Faculty members, Senior Engineers and Nursing Officers.
The session featured detailed information about different types of fire extinguishers, their anatomy, and working mechanisms, with special emphasis on the importance of checking the pressure gauge of fire extinguishers, their positioning while in use. The experts gave demonstration of PASS method (Pull the pin, Aim the Nozzle at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle slowly, and Sweep from side to side) and highlighted the importance of displaying Emergency Evacuation Plan at conspicuous places within the campus. Tips were shared on protecting oneself if someone catches fire, explaining methods such as “Stop, Drop, and Roll. Concepts of “starvation and smothering” processes to extinguish fires effectively were also shared.
The session ended with an Interaction where experts clarified the queries of the participants regarding fire safety measures. Day 02 started with the Practical Application through a mock drill conducted in two shifts with an aim to stimulate a fire emergency scenario, enabling participants to practice and refine their response procedure. The drill was attended by Nursing officers, Office staff, Fire/Security staff, Hospital attendants, Housekeeping attendants and security staff.
The two day events were meticulously organised and conducted under the guidance of Assistant Director F&ES Jammu Himanshu Gandotra and assisted by Station Officer Mohammad Jaffer, along-with crew. The successful execution of the Fire Safety awareness programme underscored the mission of Fire & Emergency Services J&K to create a safer living and working environment. This commitment is not just about responding to emergencies but also about preventing the occurrence of these emergencies through education, training and community engagement.