Finance
The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) has ordered an immediate, thorough evaluation and audit of fire safety readiness at all educational institutions, coaching centers, and skill development hubs in the state. The proactive directive follows the fatal fire incident in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, emphasizing the crucial need for zero-compromise safety compliance.
In an official directive to all District Collectors and Chairpersons of District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs), Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Special Relief Commissioner & Managing Director of OSDMA, emphasized the importance of student, trainee, faculty, and support staff safety. With the new academic session commencing, local authorities have been instructed to execute immediate field inspections to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Odisha Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Rules, 2017, Odisha Fire Prevention and Fire Safety (Amendment) Rules, 2025 and other applicable safety regulations.
Priority Actions Mandated by OSDMA :
- Comprehensive Fire Safety Audit
As per the directive, to eliminate infrastructure vulnerabilities, district administrations will launch an immediate, widespread inspection campaign across all campuses, paying specific attention to high-risk multi-storied complexes and congested urban spaces. Joint inspection teams will meticulously check the validity of existing Fire Safety Certificates and No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to guarantee adherence to prescribed safety standards. On the ground, teams are tasked with confirming the functionality of critical equipment—such as fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, automated alarms, and emergency lighting systems. A ban is also enforced on the storage of combustible materials in classrooms, corridors, or escape paths, alongside mandatory periodic maintenance of electrical installations to eliminate short-circuit hazards. Every facility must also introduce sufficient safe exits, display distinct exit signage, and commit to regular hands-on fire extinguisher training and mock drills for students
- Safe Evacuation Arrangements
The directive emphasizes that physical escape routes are the first line of defense during an emergency. Local authorities must ensure that all primary exits, staircases, corridors, and emergency escape routes remain entirely unobstructed and undisturbed at all times. Institutions are required to clearly install adequate signage pointing toward exits, designated open assembly points, and emergency contact numbers. Additionally, all doors situated along these vital evacuation pathways must open outward and be configured to remain easily accessible during a crisis.
- Conduct Capacity Building and Mock Drills
Building a culture of active preparedness is central to the state’s safety strategy. Academic and training institutions must transition from passive compliance to active readiness by conducting regular fire safety awareness programmes for students, trainees, teachers, instructors, and support staff, preferably every quarter. These efforts will be backed by structured, periodic mock drills organized in direct coordination with Fire Services authorities and local administrations. To maintain accountability on campus, each institution is required to officially designate and train specialized Fire Safety Wardens and Nodal Officers.
- Institutional Preparedness
Every educational establishment is directed to prepare and prominently display an institution-specific Emergency Response and Evacuation Plan tailored to its unique layout. Campus administrators must maintain constantly updated, readily available contact channels for local Fire Services, the Police, nearby Health Departments, and the District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC). Clear, internal procedures for instant emergency reporting and swift incident response must be established across all faculties.
- Special Focus Areas
District teams have been instructed to give top priority to institutions currently operating within rented buildings, dense commercial complexes, basements, and any facilities exhibiting high student occupancy levels. Equal scrutiny must be extended to student accommodations, ensuring that hostels and residential training centres strictly meet specified fire safety norms.
- Enforcement and Monitoring
The state government is implementing these safety modifications through a collaborative, cross-agency oversight system. District-level monitoring will be actively carried out through joint inspections comprising senior officials from the Revenue, Fire Services, Education, Higher Education, and Skill Development agencies, as well as local authorities. Any institution found to be operating without proper, functional fire safety provisions would face immediate regulatory action and be required to implement final corrective actions within a strict period.
The OSDMA has asked all district administrations to closely monitor the implementation of the steps listed above. District Collectors must provide a consolidated Action Taken Report (ATR) within 15 days, detailing the number of institutions visited, defects detected, and corrective actions taken.
