Sri Vijaya Puram, June 8: The A&N Fire & Emergency Services conducted an interaction programme with hoteliers, bar and restaurant owners, members of hotel associations, and Area Inspectors of the Fire & Emergency Services at the Conference Hall of the Fire Service Training Centre on June 6. The programme was chaired by Shri Uma Shankar, Superintendent of Police (Fire), A&N Islands. Similar awareness and stakeholder interaction programmes are also being conducted across the Islands, including at Mayabunder, to brief stakeholders on the salient provisions of the A & N Islands Fire and Emergency Service Regulation, 2026 and to promote compliance with fire safety norms.
Addressing the gathering, the Superintendent of Police (Fire) informed the participants that the A & N Islands Fire and Emergency Service Regulation, 2026 has been promulgated by the Hon’ble President of India and is expected to come into force shortly after approval by the Competent Authority. While highlighting the important provisions of the Regulation including section 26 and 27 of regulation, the Superintendent of Police (Fire) emphasised the importance of fire safety compliance and stakeholder awareness.
During the interactive session, stakeholders were briefed on the salient features of the Regulation, including annual self-declaration, third-party Fire Audits, and the responsibilities of building owners and occupiers in maintaining prescribed fire safety standards. The participants raised several queries and suggestions regarding implementation, timelines for compliance, audit procedures, and stakeholder consultation during the framing of Rules, which were duly addressed by the Superintendent of Police (Fire).
The Superintendent of Police (Fire) informed that Fire Audits would be conducted to identify gaps in existing fire safety measures and to create awareness regarding compliance requirements. He urged all stakeholders to rectify deficiencies and ensure compliance before the Rules come into force. A total of 46 representatives from hotels, bars, restaurants, and hotel associations participated in the programme and appreciated the initiative taken by the department to engage with stakeholders prior to implementation of the Regulation.
