National Fire Service (NFS) Day is annually observed across India on 14th April to highlight the importance of fire service and to pay homage to the firefighters who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
April 14th also commemorates the 71 Fire Service personnel who lost their lives during the 1944 Mumbai dockyard explosion.
- The government of India also honours fearless firefighters on NFS day who have done extraordinary work in their service.
The theme of National Fire Service Day 2022 is “Learn Fire Safety, Increase Productivity”.
Background:
i.During the 11th meeting, the committee decided to designate a special day as Fire Service Day.
ii.They also suggested observing the day on 14th April to commemorate the firemen who lost their lives during the 1944 Mumbai dockyard explosion.
Fire Prevention Week:
i.At its 1st meeting, Standing Fire Advisory Committee (SFAC) recommended observing fire prevention week across India, preferably before Diwali week.
ii.In the following meetings, the time for the celebration of the week was changed from November to April/May from the year 1959.
iii.The SFAC recommended observing Fire Prevention Week annually in the 2nd week of February.
1944 Bombay Explosion:
i.The 1944 Bombay Explosion also known as the Bombay Dock explosion occurred on 14th April 1944 at the Victoria Dock at Bombay port, British India (at present Mumbai, Maharashtra.
ii.The explosion occurred when the British freighter SS Fort Stikine, carrying a mixed cargo of cotton bales, gold, and ammunition including around 1,400 tons of explosives, caught fire.
iii.Due to the explosion, around 71 firefighters lost their lives and more than 80000 people became homeless.
iv.The explosion destroyed the entire Victoria dock killing around 800 to 1300 people.
Fire Safety Week 14th to 20th April 2022:
i.Fire Safety Week is observed from 14th to 20th April 2022 aims to to avert the fire mishaps during summer.
ii.The week emphasises on ‘prevention is better than cure’ to reduce the loss caused by fire.
iii.The objective of the week is to protect the state, particularly rural areas, farm barns and kutcha houses from fire hazards but also to create and raise caution and awareness among the public.
