FSAI Delhi Chapter Organizes Conference – ‘Life Safety & Security In Old Heritage City & Modern City – A Challenge’

Fire and Security Association of India, Delhi Chapter held a conference on 29th, January, 2016 at Hotel Crowne Plaza, Okhla, New Delhi with a motive of finding solutions to the burning issue of Life Safety & Security in Delhi which has a Heritage city tag and striving to become a Modern Smart city.

The conference commenced with the welcome note by Mr. Ashish Talwar, President, FSAI Delhi Chapter followed by the lamp-lighting by Dr. G.A. Bhat, Secretary (Technical) Home Dept., Govt. of J&K, Mr. Gyaneshwar Singh-IPS, DIG- CID, H.P., Mr. A.K. Sharma, Director of Delhi Fire Services, Mr. Ajit Raghavan, National Secretary of FSAI, Mr. Ashish Talwar, President, FSAI Delhi Chapter and Mr. Neeraj Sehgal, FSAI Delhi Chapter Secretary.

Highlighting the Fire and Security Association of India, Mr. Ajit Raghavan, introduced and explained the activities conducted by FSAI towards creating a Safe & Secure India through its 13 chapters/sub chapters across India. He announced that FSAI had signed MOU signed with NFPA during the Intersec this year in Dubai, which will be a turning point in the Fire, Safety & Security industry in India. He also announced that FSAI had signed an MOU with the Council of Architecture for incorporating fire safety and security at designing stage of all buildings.

Mr. Garry Singh said that safety and security risks were constantly changing with the evolvement of new technologies. Today, the need of an hour was to counter such threats to minimize the losses of lives and property.

Mr. A.K. Sharma, Director of Delhi Fire Services explained that the Heritage Buildings of the city were not complying to the new By-Laws with regards to Fire safety, since they were constructed prior to the By-Laws were enacted in the city. He agreed that it was somewhat difficult making the heritage sections of the city compliant to the new bylaws but nonetheless DFS is leaving no stone unturned for trying to increase the safety in such areas. He also talked about an enigma of applying By-Laws on Smart Cities and said that DFS is becoming more proactive by bringing in the fire service paperwork on an electronic platform. He said all the information about Fire Safety Norms, NOC, clearances and licenses would be made available on the web soon.

Mr. Gyaneshwar Singh-IPS, also an Ex – GM Security Airport Authority of India found it necessary to maintain the balance between growth and security. He said that the risks to Aviation Industry had been always high because it was only always a soft target for maximum damage but gave a high level of publicity. He said security was now being included at the design stage of the airports itself which was a welcome change. He stressed that urban policing and rural policing were hugely different and needed different ways of tackling. Smart cities shall need smart policing for which authorities were aware of.

The Chief Guest at the conference, Mr. G.A. Bhat spoke about the enormous migration issues that Delhi is facing and which makes safety and security a big challenge. He mentioned the problems that Fire services across the country are facing because of the lesser no. of fire stations along with lesser no. of Fire-fighting staff. He said that the Modern Smart City will definitely have the latest fire safety and security systems/technologies in place but we shouldn’t forget that it will also lure anti – social elements and criminals or terrorists which make it important for us to foresee such threats and equip ourselves to counter the same.

The conference attended by various industry professionals discussed about Life Safety and Security of Old & New Delhi through various Panel Discussions. The first Security Panel discussion on “Role of Security in Preventing and Responding to Disasters” highlighted the lack of seriousness in tackling the Disaster Management because of our Indian Armed Forces/Para Military Forces were only relied upon to do the job. The role of Security in responding to a disaster is very similar to the day-to-day role of public safety and supporting the community. In preparing for a disaster, security professional trust in their training. Government authorities need to provide a more effective framework for unleashing the full potential of private sector contribution. This framework can include policies that contribute directly to safer industrial operation, and incentives for business to become more involved in Disaster Management Programs. There is a need to create awareness on community role and responsibility. As a country we need to move towards disaster resilience.

The next Safety Panel Discussion delved on “Ensuring Safety of inhabitants: Challenges, Perspectives and Strategies”. The emergency response team at places of public assembly like Hospital, Hotels, Shopping Mall, Auditoriums, Cineplex etc. need ‘Competence Building Training’ to handle the emergency situations envisaged in such occupancies both natural disasters as well as man-made. Safety of occupants of the buildings shall be addressed at a design stage and hence role of architects in planning of designed safe buildings needs emphasis. There was an urgent need of mapping the vulnerability profile of City of Delhi. Safe Transportation like Metro etc. is essential and speedy mode of transport which is required for the Modern Smart City. Retrofitting of ancient/heritage buildings shall need to be undertaken for their survival in case of natural disasters.

FSAI Delhi Chapter also presented a surprising element for its audience to create the awareness amongst the public in the form of a road plays. The scintillating, heart-touching ‘Nukkad Natak’ on Fire & Safety was performed by the college students and was applauded by many.

In the last Fire Panel Discussion “Fire & Life Safety System: Transformation & Transitions and Transformation – Challenges & Mitigation”, it was emphasized that the intent of Project Cost Control over Safety should not be compromised at any cost. It was also felt that the team of Design to employ people with right knowledge & approach for efficient design submission and approval to AHJ. While FSAI is working closely with BIS in improvisation of the Codes and Standards, it was understood by each of us that it was the Life of Ours and Our Loved Ones for whom we have to work in the most collaborative way to bring safety as part and parcel of our build environment.

As the conference ended with the thanking note given by Mr. Neeraj Sehgal, the new enthusiasm and enlightened minds were apparent as if the people have got a right direction to move into and it was a consequence of the toil of FSAI Delhi Chapter team which had been paid off by getting the big applaud from the audience. The FSAI Delhi Chapter has lined up many programs like creating awareness among school children in the Delhi state.