KOZHIKODE: After much discussion, the fire and safety bill was being revamped, and with a major inclusion - of women cadets, this time, said Fire and Rescue Services DGP A. Hemachandran on Friday. Though it was talked about in the past, it did not happen but the DGP said that he had submitted the suggestion to the state government and a decision was expected soon.
“Some of the other states in the country have women cadets. More than a case of gender equality, there are special situations like rescue of women and children, where the presence of women cadets would be more appropriate. Therefore this demand is being considered with priority,” said the DGP. Already the force is training female students in colleges to be part of the student response force and they are qualified to fight in emergency situations.
However, the DGP said that such situations were part of civil defence and not as part of the regular force. Nearly 70 female student cadets qualified two days ago in the Government College of Nursing and they would be called in emergency situations in the district. The students were given training in rescue, use of the equipment, rope rescue, lifting etc. along with the other techniques needed in an emergency. Ten male students from BSc, MSc and diploma courses were included in the training. The officers said that the female students showed interest in joining the Fire and Rescue services.
