New fire station opened at Mavoor

A new fire station sanctioned by the State government for Mavoor in the Kunnamangalam Assembly constituency was opened on Thursday, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurating the facility through videoconferencing.

The new firefighting facility, which had been pending for implementation for over a decade, would help address emergency situations in 15 local bodies in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vijayan said the Fire and Rescue Services department had been rendering an exemplary service. He noted that the government had undertaken modernisation works worth ₹251 crore at fire stations across the State, ensuring that all stations were equipped with advanced facilities and ready for emergency response.

The Chief Minister pointed out that the devastating floods of 2018 had prompted a comprehensive revamp of the disaster response mechanism with focus on scientific improvements. Apart from developing the Fire Academy into a centre of excellence, civil defence units are also being promoted to ensure people’s participation in disaster management efforts, he said.

He also made it clear that more volunteers would be trained under the civil defence programme, and that steps would be taken to strengthen special task forces. To ensure women’s participation in firefighting, the government has recruited 100 women firefighters, while 17 women scuba teams have been made operational, he pointed out.

Officials said the Mavoor fire station was realised at a cost of ₹46 lakh, including contributions made by local traders and industrialists. It would be supported by a team of 18 firefighters, they added.

Fire and Rescue Services Director-General Nitin Agarwal, Mavoor grama panchayat president C. Muneerath, Chathamangalam grama panchayat president M.K. Nadeera, and Mavoor grama panchayat vice-president C.P. Krishnan were present.