Bhubaneswar: The National Fire Service Day was observed on Saturday in memory of the Fire and Rescue Services personnel who sacrificed their lives during rescue operations.
Fire Services DG BK Sharma and other Fire and Rescue Services personnel paid homage to the 20 departed souls of the department at a function organised at Baramunda fire station here.
"Every year the Fire Service day is observed on April 14 and the first day is observed as Martyrs' Day in the memory of fire personnel who lost their lives while on duty," said Sharma.
Sharma further informed that already there has been lot of addition to the role and responsibilities of fire services personnel as they are now being engaged during natural calamities and any other accidents.
The Fire Training Academy in Odisha is one of the best and efforts are on to upgrade the skills of the fire personnel.
"We are soon going to have an swimming pool to impart under water training at the academy and already site for the project has been identified," Sharma added.