MUSHTAQ BALA
As the harsh winter grips Kashmir, the region has witnessed a worrying spike in accidents, from house fires to snow-related disasters, putting lives and property at grave risk. These recurring tragedies, year after year, highlight a glaring gap in preparedness and public awareness. While nature’s fury cannot always be tamed, many of these incidents could be prevented with timely intervention and robust safety measures.
The Role of Fire, Emergency Services & Disaster Management
The Fire, Emergency Services & Disaster Management Department is entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding lives and property. However, there appears to be a troubling mismatch between their stated duties and ground realities. A critical part of their mandate is public awareness, especially during winter when the risks of fires, gas leaks, and snow-induced disasters are at their peak. Yet, we often see a lackluster approach, with safety drives and public campaigns relegated to the summer months, seemingly to meet bureaucratic deadlines or avoid fund lapses.
Funds Exist, But Are They Utilized Effectively?
Public safety is not just about responding to emergencies; it’s about preventing them. The department has allocated funds, which could be utilized for widespread door-to-door awareness campaigns. Simple initiatives, such as teaching residents how to handle heating appliances safely, avoid gas leaks, and prepare for emergencies during snowfall, could save countless lives. But these resources often remain underutilized, leaving the public ill-equipped to handle crises.
One wonders:
Why are fire safety drives conducted in summer when winter poses the gravest threats?
Why isn’t there a consistent effort to educate people about safety norms, especially during the colder months?
Are funds being prioritized for impact, or merely for compliance with formalities?
The Tragic Consequences of Inaction
The result of this negligence is evident in the growing number of preventable tragedies. House fires caused by malfunctioning heating devices, asphyxiation due to improper ventilation, and accidents during snow-clearing operations are common headlines during winter in Kashmir. Each incident is met with sorrow, but little is done to address the underlying issues.
The public, too, bears some responsibility. While safety departments must take the lead, individual households and communities must prioritize adopting basic safety practices. Awareness is a two-way street—authorities must provide information, but citizens must also be willing to learn and implement it.
A Call to Action
The current approach of reactive crisis management must give way to proactive planning and prevention. Here’s what needs to be done:
Winter-Centric Awareness Campaigns: The department should focus its resources on conducting safety awareness programs in winter, especially in vulnerable areas.
Door-to-Door Outreach: Teams must visit homes to educate people on fire safety, proper use of heating appliances, and snow disaster preparedness.
Utilizing Funds Transparently: The allocated funds should be fully utilized for public welfare, ensuring maximum reach and impact.
Community Involvement: Local leaders, NGOs, and volunteers can partner with authorities to amplify awareness efforts.
Regular Drills and Training: Mock drills and first aid training sessions can equip people to respond effectively in emergencies.
Honesty and Accountability Are Crucial
What’s needed is a shift in mindset—a commitment to honesty and practicality. The department must stop treating fire safety week and similar events as mere formalities and start addressing the real issues on the ground. For God’s sake, there are funds available; let them be used for the greater good.
The Time to Act Is Now
As Kashmir endures another challenging winter, the cycle of preventable tragedies must not continue. Lives are at stake, and the tools to protect them are within reach. It’s time for the Fire, Emergency Services & Disaster Management Department to rise to the occasion and fulfill its moral responsibility.
The people of Kashmir deserve better. Let this winter be a turning point—where proactive safety measures replace hollow gestures, and lives are saved instead of mourned.
Mushtaq Bala is Editor-In-Chief of Kashmir Pen and can be reached at mushtaqabala@gmail.com