1,600 posts in State fire dept. will be filled soon, says Home Minister

Home Minister G. Parameshwara on Tuesday announced that more than 1,600 vacant posts in the Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services Department will be filled soon, with a proposal already submitted to the Chief Minister.

He was speaking at a ceremony at the R.A. Mundkur Fire Service Training Academy on Bannerghatta Road, where he presented the ‘Chief Minister’s Medal’ to officers and personnel of the Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Services, Home Guards, Civil Defence and SDRF.

He flagged off 40 new fire-fighting water tenders inducted into the department.

Dr. Parameshwara said the department has earned national recognition for its commendable service and brought pride to the State. He lauded the discipline and dedication of fire service personnel, stating that their efforts during disasters, including flood rescue operations in Madikeri, were praiseworthy.

Highlighting infrastructure expansion plans, the Minister said the government has been requested to sanction fire stations in 15 new taluks. On the lines of the police housing scheme under which 40,000 houses have been constructed, a similar housing facility will be provided for fire service personnel, he added.

With a spike in high-rise buildings in Bengaluru, the department has been equipped with modern and advanced machinery. For the first time, a 90-m aerial ladder platform vehicle capable of reaching significant heights has been inducted into the fleet. Under the 15th Finance Commission grant, ₹329 crore has been allocated to strengthen the department. Of this, ₹98 crore has been spent on constructing 21 new fire stations. The government has taken steps to procure modern equipment and upgrade training infrastructure, he said.