Goa Fire Station Ramps Up Safety Protocols for Annual Lairai Jatra Festival
In a proactive move to ensure public safety, the Bicholim fire station in Goa has proposed deploying three fire tenders at and around the Lairai temple during the upcoming Shri Devi Lairai Jatra in Shirgao. This decision follows a detailed onsite inspection conducted on Saturday morning, marking an increase from the two fire tenders stationed at the event last year.
Enhanced Fire Safety and Crowd Management Measures
Fire officer Rahul Desai emphasized that the inspection aimed to assess the necessary provisions for fire safety and crowd control at this year's venue. "We are going to be prepared for any situation and will be taking similar measures on the ground," Desai stated. The director of fire and emergency services, Nitin Raiker, also reviewed the site and called for additional safety arrangements, underscoring the department's commitment to preventing emergencies.
The fire tenders will be strategically positioned: one at the Lairai temple, another at the Homkhan site where devotees perform a ritual walking barefoot on burning coal, and a third at the lake where holy dips are taken. This deployment is part of a broader safety upgrade prompted by new fire safety guidelines and recommendations from district authorities.
High-Level Coordination and Increased Personnel
A high-level coordination meeting was convened on January 31 by collector and district magistrate Ankit Yadav, involving multiple departments including the fire department. The meeting focused on addressing site-specific risk factors, crowd management, infrastructure preparedness, and inter-departmental coordination to ensure a smooth and secure event.
Desai highlighted that the number of fire officers deputed at the venue will increase this year. "Up until last year, we deputed 15 fire officers at the venue as per the old fire safety guidelines. As the guidelines have been upgraded and with the magistrate's recommendations on overall safety and additional deployment of officers, we are maximising the safety provisions," he explained. A formal request has been submitted to the director for more officers to bolster on-ground presence.
Leveraging Technology for Real-Time Monitoring
In addition to physical measures, the fire services will heavily rely on advanced technology to enhance safety during the Jatra. The department has proposed using PoC (Push-to-Talk over Cellular) radios for seamless communication among officers and body cameras to monitor the event in real time. "We proposed to the director to use PoC radios to communicate with the officers to detect any mishap at the event, as well as body cameras," Desai added, ensuring that any incidents can be swiftly identified and addressed.
This comprehensive approach, combining increased manpower, strategic equipment placement, and technological integration, reflects a significant upgrade in safety protocols for the annual festival, aiming to protect devotees and maintain order during the large-scale gathering.
