DIMAPUR: The newly constructed Fire Station South, Kohima building under Fire & Emergency Services was inaugurated along with the launching of ‘Modernization of Nagaland Fire & Emergency Services-Management System (NFES-MS)’ by advisor, Fire & Emergency Services, Home Guards, Civil Defence and Relief & Rehabilitation, S. Kiusumew Yimchunger, in presence of advisor Geology & Mining and DUDA, W. Chingang Konyak, and Dr Tseilhoutuo Rhütso, MLA on May 20.
Speaking at the programme, advisor S. Kiusumew Yimchunger said the department had grown from a humble beginning into a modern and capable department. He stated that the department was introducing modern firefighting equipment and aiming to establish new fire stations across the state.
He added that with the launch of NFES-MS, the department would now have access to data and real-time firefighting scenarios, which would help minimise the loss of lives and properties during fire incidents. Advisor W. Chingang Konyak urged the department to establish fire stations in ADC and EAC headquarters as well as at the village level.
Meanwhile, Dr. Rhütso suggested the use of smaller water tenders and two-wheeler firefighting units equipped with extinguishing media. He also proposed the construction of rainwater harvesting reservoirs in various localities around Kohima and recommended building a dam along the Sanuorü stream in North Kohima for firefighting purposes.
In his introductory speech, IG (F&ES) Department Neilasa Sopfii stated that the construction of the Fire Station South Kohima building was executed under the Police Engineering Project at a total cost of Rs. 3.53 crore.
He noted that the station was one of the oldest fire stations in Nagaland and expressed hope that the newly constructed four-storeyed building would become one of the best fire stations in the Northeast. The building includes four-bay garages for firefighting vehicles on the ground floor along with other logistic facilities on the upper floors.
Sopfii also highlighted the newly launched “Modernization of Nagaland Fire & Emergency Services-Management System (NFES-MS)” as a pilot project covering the districts of Kohima, Mokokchung and Dimapur. He stated that the project aims at digital transformation of fire and emergency services for improved efficiency, accessibility, transparency and development of a centralized management system.
As part of the initiative, a citizen web portal (https://nfes.nagaland.gov.in/) has been developed to provide online services such as recruitment processing, online payments, Fire NOC applications, feedback and grievances, geo-location of fire stations and other departmental information.
The programme concluded with a prayer by Central Baptist Church, Bayavü, pastor, Neichalie Chadi.
