Fire safety audits, which assess 39 critical aspects including electrical systems, fire detection and extinguishing mechanisms, and evacuation protocols, are required to be conducted periodically
A series of civil defence mock drills conducted as part of ‘Operation Sindoor’ have revealed significant fire safety deficiencies in several government-run hospitals across West Bengal, including two prominent medical colleges. The drills, aimed at assessing emergency preparedness, uncovered that many facilities lacked essential fire safety certifications and functional equipment.
Among the institutions found non-compliant were Sagar Dutta Medical College and Hospital in Kamarhati and Barasat Government Medical College and Hospital. In total, twelve hospitals, encompassing seven general and three sub-divisional hospitals, failed to produce valid No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for fire safety. Consequently, these hospitals have been instructed to reapply for certification after implementing the necessary safety measures.
The findings are particularly concerning given a directive issued by the state government on January 24, which mandated all state-run health facilities to review and enhance their fire prevention and mitigation strategies. Despite this, the mock drills revealed that even basic fire alarms were non-functional in many hospitals.
Fire safety audits, which assess 39 critical aspects including electrical systems, fire detection and extinguishing mechanisms, and evacuation protocols, are required to be conducted periodically. However, the recent drills suggest a significant gap in the implementation and monitoring of these safety standards.
This is not the first time fire safety in West Bengal’s healthcare facilities has come under scrutiny. In 2011, a devastating fire at a private hospital in Kolkata resulted in the deaths of 92 people. In response, the state government had issued guidelines to improve fire safety measures across all hospitals. Yet, a recent drive by the state fire and emergency services department in April found that many establishments still failed to comply with these regulations.
The recurrence of fire-related incidents, including a recent blaze at a Kolkata hotel that claimed 14 lives, underscores the urgent need for stringent enforcement of fire safety norms. In light of these events, the state government has established a 15-member task force to overhaul fire control systems and develop new standard operating procedures. The task force is expected to submit its recommendations within 30 days.
