Odisha Fire & Emergency Service Highlights Its Pivotal Role in Road Accident Response at Media interaction*

*Odisha Fire & Emergency Service Highlights Its Pivotal Role in Road Accident Response at Media interaction*

On the occasion of the concluding day of Road Safety Month, Odisha Fire & Emergency Service organized a Media Meet & Greet Session focusing on road safety awareness and the department’s critical role in road accident response and disaster management. The interaction emphasized that Odisha Fire & Emergency Service is not limited to fire suppression alone, but functions as a first responder in road accidents and disasters, operating in line with global emergency response standards.

During the interaction, the department showcased its advanced rescue and lifesaving equipment, including Incident Command Vehicles for on-site coordination and command control; Advanced Rescue Tenders which has more than 100 equipment for rapid deployment of rescue resources; Core and Plasma Cutting Machines for precision cutting of accident-damaged vehicle structures; Hydraulic Cutters and Spreaders with Power Packs for forcible entry and victim extrication; Pneumatic Lifting Bags for air-lifting overturned or crushed vehicles; Spine Stretchers for spinal immobilization; Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for emergency cardiac resuscitation; Multipurpose Quick Response Units for swift first response; and Mortuary Vehicles to ensure dignified handling and transportation of deceased persons.

In 2025 alone, Odisha Fire & Emergency Service attended 8,172 road accident calls and successfully saved 8,742 lives, highlighting the department’s expanding role in emergency medical response and rescue operations across the state.

Addressing the gathering, Director General of Fire Service, Dr. Sudhanshu Sarangi, outlined the department’s forward-looking vision.

“Our personnel are saving more lives every day. We are focusing on advanced training in handling spinal and head injury victims, stabilizing patients before hospital transfer, safe management of unconscious patients, and effective CPR. Regular mock drills and hands-on simulations will further strengthen our rescue capabilities,” he said.

The program concluded with a live demonstration session, during which real-time road accident scenarios were recreated. Fire service personnel demonstrated technical rescue operations using the advanced equipment, providing the media fraternity with firsthand insight into the department’s preparedness, precision, and rapid response mechanisms.

The event marked a significant conclusion to Road Safety Month 2026, reaffirming Odisha Fire & Emergency Service’s commitment to road safety, professional emergency response, and lifesaving excellence.