Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday initiated a landmark project aimed at bolstering the state's capabilities in fire safety and disaster response. He laid the foundation stone for the new Fire and Safety Science Postgraduate and Research Centre in Kannur district.
A Pioneering Institute for Advanced Safety Training
The institution is being established at Bungalow Metta, near Ancharakkandi, within the Dharmadam assembly constituency. The government has allocated a substantial plot of 4.5 acres for this pioneering venture. The first phase of construction has already received an administrative sanction of Rs 20 crore.
The comprehensive project plan includes several key facilities:
- An academic block for classrooms and labs
- A dedicated administrative block
- Separate hostels for male and female students
- Residential quarters for staff and faculty
Curriculum Focused on Modern Challenges
The centre's primary mission is twofold. First, it aims to enhance the professional skills of existing fire and rescue services personnel. Second, and more significantly, it seeks to train a new generation of job-ready, globally competitive experts in fire safety and disaster management.
In a major academic milestone, the centre will offer four specialized courses with the formal approval of the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat). The flagship program will be an MSc in Fire and Safety Science, which is notably the first such postgraduate degree to be introduced in India. Additionally, the centre will run two postgraduate diploma courses and house a dedicated research facility.
Equipping Kerala for Future Disasters
Speaking at the foundation ceremony, Chief Minister Vijayan emphasized the critical need for such an advanced institution. He highlighted that modern threats like chemical accidents, fires in high-rise buildings, and increasingly frequent natural disasters present major challenges to traditional firefighting systems.
"To respond effectively to these complex emergencies, it is essential to develop human resources trained in modern technology, cutting-edge research, and even artificial intelligence," the Chief Minister stated. The government's vision is to equip the state's fire and rescue services with these advanced, future-ready capabilities.
The construction of the centre is on a fast track, with authorities expecting to complete the building and dedicate it to the state within 18 months. This initiative marks a significant step in professionalizing disaster response and creating a skilled workforce in a critical, life-saving field.
