Srinagar, Dec 31: Fire and Emergency Services, Jammu and Kashmir, has reported significant progress in public safety and emergency management during 2025, attributing the gains to a strong focus on prevention, preparedness and community participation across the Union Territory.
As per official details shared by F&ES, the Department responded to 6,039 fire calls, 59 rescue calls and 53 false calls during the year. A total of 322 fire tenders and Quick Response Vehicles (QRVs), supported by 2,157 personnel, were pressed into service. Due to timely and coordinated response, property worth approximately ₹5,000 crore was saved, while losses were contained to around ₹300 crore.
A major highlight of 2025 has been a reduction of 1,994 fire incidents compared to 2024, representing an approximate 25 percent decline from 8,033 incidents in the previous year. This notable decrease reflects the positive impact of
sustained fire prevention initiatives and increased public awareness, contributing to safer communities
Public awareness remained a key focus area of the Department. Under a special initiative of Director Fire and Emergency Services, Shri Alok Kumar (ADGP–IPS), the fire safety awareness campaign launched in August 2022 continued throughout 2025.
The campaign aims to promote the concept of “Har Ghar Firefighter,” encouraging every household to have at least one trained individual capable of handling fire incidents at the initial stage. Up to December 2025, as many as 9,887 awareness programmes were conducted across educational institutions, hospitals, nursing homes and other establishments, reaching over 10.3 lakh people.
To address heightened fire risks during severe weather conditions, the Department undertook additional preventive measures by strategically deploying fire tenders, QRVs and fire pumps at identified vulnerable locations across J&K. In remote and far-flung areas, local volunteers and public representatives were trained in basic firefighting and fire prevention techniques to strengthen community-level preparedness.
The report further states that institutional fire safety compliance was closely monitored during the year. A total of 3,728 fire safety audits were conducted in hospitals, hotels, nursing homes, educational institutions, government offices and commercial establishments, with necessary recommendations issued to improve safety standards and evacuation preparedness.
Fire and Emergency Services also played a crucial role during recent flood situations, particularly in Anantnag and Srinagar, where search, rescue and dewatering operations were carried out at over 60 locations. The Department rendered support during “Operation Sindoor” by deploying fire tenders and trained crews in districts including Poonch, Uri, Sopore and Kupwara. Comprehensive fire safety arrangements were also made for the Annual Shri Amarnathji Yatra (SANJY)-2025, with more than 30 temporary fire stations established along the Baltal and Pahalgam routes.
In the area of capacity building, a new Fire Training Centre (FTC) was established at Bari Brahmana. Two batches successfully completed the Basic Firemanship Course, while six batches underwent refresher training programmes during the year.
The achievements of 2025, the statement said, reflect a comprehensive and forward-looking approach by Fire and Emergency Services, Jammu and Kashmir, combining operational readiness with prevention, awareness and community participation. The Department reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property and further strengthening a culture of fire safety across the Union Territory. (KNC)
