Navi Mumbai: CIDCO will observe Fire Service Week from 14 to 20 April, to honour firefighters who lost their lives in the 1944 Fort Stikine explosion at Mumbai Port. The week commemorates the sacrifice of 66 fire personnel and promotes public awareness on fire safety.

Under the leadership of CIDCO Vice Chairman and MD Vijay Singhal and Chief Vigilance Officer Suresh Mengade, the week-long initiative has been planned by Chief Fire Officer Vijay Rane and Deputy CFO Pravin Bodkhe. CIDCO’s Fire Department, active since 1973, has provided uninterrupted emergency services in Navi Mumbai for over 50 years.

The observance will begin with a tribute ceremony at Kharghar fire station on April 14. From April 15 to 19, mock drills and training sessions will be conducted across residential, commercial, educational, and industrial buildings. Awareness programmes will also be held in housing societies to educate residents on fire safety systems and emergency response.

The week will conclude with a closing ceremony in Mumbai on April 20. CIDCO has urged citizens to visit their nearest fire stations to learn how to maintain fire safety systems and respond effectively in emergencies.