Apart from these structural upgrades, the government highlighted community awareness and readiness.

Himachal Pradesh Government Opens Fire Services for Women, Strengthens Disaster Response

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced the induction of women into its Fire Services. The decision was announced on the occasion of the 63rd Raising Day of the state’s Home Guards and Civil Defence, held at Sarogheen, as part of the government’s “Vyavastha Parivartan” initiative.

The Chief Minister said that the government will soon amend recruitment rules for this shift. Additionally, women Home Guards have already been granted maternity leave benefits. This move is aimed at promoting gender inclusion and offering job security to female personnel.

The broader reform comes in the context of significant efforts to strengthen the state’s disaster-response and civil-defence capabilities. Sukhu emphasised that this year alone, the Home Guards, Fire Services, Civil Defence, and the State Disaster Response Force conducted 708 search-and-rescue operations, saved 448 lives, safeguarded property worth INR 2,000 crore, and restored 1,035 water sources and bodies.

Sukhu said that the state has established four new fire stations to further boost capacity at Deha, Ubadesh, Nerwa, and Indora; procured 27 new fire tenders; and sanctioned 150 posts for their operation. He noted that under the Fire Services Modernisation Scheme, INR 55 crore has been allocated for infrastructure upgrades, while the SDRF received INR 6 crore worth of advanced equipment, including drones for aerial surveys and rescue operations.

Apart from these structural upgrades, the government highlighted community awareness and readiness. Sukhu emphasised that over the past year, the forces carried out around 11,000 mock drills and organised 3,000 awareness camps and trained approximately two lakh citizens across the state.

CM Sukhu also launched the “Miracle of Mind” app, which is developed in collaboration with a partner organisation. This is a part of efforts to combat drug abuse.

According to CM Sukhu, the induction of women into the Fire Services, combined with expanded infrastructure, enhanced resources, citizen-training drives and social-welfare measures, represents a comprehensive push by the Himachal Pradesh government to modernise disaster response and promote gender-inclusive public safety.

Source: The Tribune