Bhubaneswar, Nov. 16: The state government will shortly modify rules to make the state fire service more effective to prevent and fight fires in high-rises.

Speaking at a seminar on fire-safety measures in high-rise buildings, chief minister Naveen Patnaik today said: "Modified rules will soon be framed for adequate precautionary measures required by owners and occupants of buildings to prevent fire accidents."

The Odisha Fire Service Act was enacted in 1993 and notified in 1997. However, the modification of rules is necessary to keep pace with the changing housing sector. Hundreds of high-rise apartments have come up in the cities with urbanisation.

"This calls for modernisation of fire service measures," said a senior official of the state fire service department.

"Odisha Fire Service is adequately equipped to meet fire accidents and other emergencies in high-rise buildings," said the chief minister adding that the state fire service has procured aerial turntable ladders to fight fire and conduct rescue operations in high-rises.

He said the fire service was creating awareness among people on how to remain safe and minimise fire accidents in high-rises. The fire service should also educate the building occupants regarding the use of fire-fighting gadgets during emergencies for saving life and property, he said.

Mentioning that 1,042 firemen drivers had been recently recruited to meet the additional man power requirement, Naveen said the government had sanctioned three training institutes at Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri to facilitate training and professional responsiveness in fire prevention and fire fighting and rescue and rehabilitation.

The state government has decided to set up 335 fire stations, with the objective to open at least one fire station in each block. At present, there are 232 fire stations are in the state.