The Government has launched a “Scheme for Expansion and Modernization of Fire Services in the States” on 04.07.2023 from the earmarked allocation of Preparedness and Capacity Building Funding Window under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for strengthening fire services in the States for the period upto 2025-26, with a total outlay of Rs. 5,000 Crore. 

Funds are available to the States under the scheme on cost sharing basis. The identified activities have been broadly categorized under expansion of fire services and modernization of fire services in the States.  The measures included in the scheme provides setting up of new fire stations, strengthening of State Training Centres and capacity building, provisions for modern fire-fighting equipment, strengthening of State Headquarters and Urban Fire Stations, technological upgradation and installation and augmentation of online system etc.  In addition, an amount of Rs. 500 crore, out of the total outlay, are available to incentivize the States for adoption of legal and infrastructure-based reforms.

Fire Service is a State subject and has been included as a Municipal function in the XII Schedule of the Constitution of India under Article 243 (W).  The Central Government does not maintain any data related to fire accidents/incidents in States centrally. 

It is the primary responsibility of the State Governments to take necessary steps required for safety of life and property from fire hazards in the area of their jurisdictions. Central Government had circulated a “Model Bill to Provide for the Maintenance of Fire and Emergency Service for the State” to all the States / Union Territories on 16.09.2019 for suitable revision in their respective Fire Service Rules / Regulations. 

This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

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RK/AY/SM/AKS/RR/738