by Prashant Gaikwad
PUNE, JAN 21, 2019: The National Fire and Evacuation Day was observed at Don Bosco, Yerwada with Don Bosco High school, Safe Kids Foundation-Honeywell India, and Fire Brigade-Pune Municipal Corporation jointly organising a ‘School-Building Model’ competition for all the schools across Pune.
Almost 25 schools participated. There was a rangoli competition on the theme 'fire safety' as well. As a part of their ‘Awareness through demonstration and training’ programme, Fire Brigade of PMC displayed a live demonstration of fire-fighting and fire-safety.
The demonstration showcased hands-on drills of how to extinguish fires of different types with different types of extinguishers. The fire-fighting van of the brigade demonstrated how they control fire in various scenarios using a number of fire-fighting tools and equipment.
The Divisional Fire Officer (PMC), Sunil Gilbile described to the students the background and importance of National Fire and Evacuation Day. “Even a child can save lives of many people in case of a fire. Therefore, you all must be very much alert and must act smartly to save your own and others’ lives. Use the skills that you will acquire during today’s demonstration in your day-to-day life,” Gilbile said.
Teachers, Wali, Suryakant, Pranali, Sayma and students Tanish Das, Aditya Sawant, Nidhi Agarwal, and Pragati Chavan from standard seven participated in mock drills.
“I felt very proud after the drill of extinguishing the fire,” Das said. Agarwal added, “I was scared to see the fire at first but the officer's support made me fulfill the task confidently. It’s a lifetime learning experience for me.”
“The demonstration and drills will be very useful for all the students and teachers. We got to know the simple and effective techniques to extinguish a fire as well as save lives in case of fire,” Wali, a teacher said.
The fire brigade officials were then felicitated by Principal Father Bosco D'Mello, who also advised the students to be vigilant in avoiding incidents of fire as well as fight bravely and tactfully by following all the safety measures.