Goa first to get fire safety app

PANAJI: Goa's directorate of fire and emergency services became the first state in the country to get a dedicated smart phone app for fire safety. The launch of the Fire Safe Goa app takes the state's firefighting capabilities up a notch.

Designed by the Safety Centre of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Gandhinagar, with the support of Bengaluru-based Underwriters Laboratories India, the app, at the touch of a button, automatically sends the precise location of the fire to the nearest fire station and shows fire tenders the shortest route to it.

R A Venkitachalam, vice-president, public safety mission, Underwriters Laboratories Inc, Chicago, said the app is being rolled out in phases in the country and Goa is the first to receive it. The app will be tweaked and improved based on feedback received. The app, which works only on phones with Android OS, is available for download from http://bit.ly/1PGr3ua.

It was launched in Goa on National Fire Service Day which is observed on April 14 to pay homage to firemen who have died in the line of duty. The theme for 2015 is 'Adopt safe housekeeping practices and approved electrical appliances'.

"Much more remains to be done in terms of fire station coverage, equipment and personnel, which the government is aware of and is progressively supporting every initiative in developing the services," fire services director Ashok Menon said.

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