KOZHIKODE: The state government will give priority to the modernisation of the fire and rescue department, according to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Inaugurating the fire and rescue station at Koyilandy on Saturday, he said, “Modern equipment is as important as human resources for the fire force and there should not be any shortage of safety equipment. The government has allocated Rs 39 crore in the budget for the modernisation of the force and we have been able to fill the shortage of life-saving equipment to an extent,” he said.
“We have also earmarked Rs 12 crore to purchase special ladders for the rescue operations in multi-storey buildings. The government also got Rs 10 crore from the National Disaster Management Authority for buying equipment and vehicles for the force,” he added. Mr Vijayan, who also inaugurated the M-Dit technological campus at Ulliyeri, urged the students to be actively involved in the development activities. The state government will use the expertise of civil engineering students in the construction of houses under the LIFE Mission Kerala for the homeless. The engineering colleges will also be made a part of the monitoring of the safety of such houses. The officials concerned should ensure the involvement of teachers and students in the various development activities undertaken by the civic bodies and autonomous agencies, he said.
