Bhubaneswar, April 19: The state government has decided to add 45 more fire stations to the existing 290.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today made the announcement while addressing the 61st National Fire Service Week at the Odisha Fire and Disaster Response Academy. The existing Odisha Fire Service Training Institute near Baramunda was today upgraded to Odisha Fire and Disaster Response Academy.

The academy will train officials to deal with all sophisticated equipment during emergency rescue operations.

"We are adding 45 more fire stations to the existing 290, making it a total of 335 in the state. With this, the state will have the highest number of fire stations in the country."

Moreover, the state government today announced the setting up of Watermanship Institute at Ramchandi in Puri district and a fire-training institute at Naraj in Cuttack.

"I am sure the institutes will provide prompt and effective service in emergency situations. Necessary staff members for proper functioning of these institutes will be provided so that high quality training can be imparted," said Naveen.

The Watermanship Institute will be set up with an aim of training personnel for water-related emergencies.

"At the institute, fire personnel will be trained in scuba diving and using breathing apparatus, which would help them remain underwater for around 40 minutes. Earlier, they could manage to stay underwater for a maximum of three minutes. Personnel will also be able to recover bodies underwater," said director general of fire and emergency services, Binoy Kumar Behera. A trainer from Sweden will take care of the students in batches.

The institute will be come up at Ramchandi because the site is located near the confluence of Kushabhadra river and the Bay of Bengal.

"The land for this institute is yet to be allotted. We are in touch with the Puri district administration for the purpose," said a senior official.

The chief minister also urged the fire personnel to coordinate with development authorities to save high-rises.

"There must be adequate protection and fire safety measures in the high-rises coming up in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Berhampur, Sambalpur and other cities. Regular inspection should be done and effective coordination between development authorities and the fire service department is necessary to avert any emergency," said the chief minister.