Kolkata Police has ordered a comprehensive fire safety audit across all its police stations, offices, residential complexes and other establishments in the city, including checks of firefighting equipment, emergency drills and the validity of safety systems.
The order was issued by the office of the Kolkata Police Commissioner, according to a report by Sanmarg – Kolkata. The exercise will be carried out in coordination with the fire services department and is intended to strengthen preparedness for fire emergencies across police-managed premises.
Under the directive, special fire drills will be conducted at police stations and other establishments. The drills are intended to familiarise police personnel with firefighting and rescue procedures so that they can respond quickly and effectively during an emergency. The order covers both operational sites, such as police stations and offices, and residential premises used by the police.
The audit will examine the availability of firefighting equipment, its current condition and whether it is functioning properly. Officials will also verify the validity of the equipment and check expiry dates, according to the report. These checks are important because the presence of fire extinguishers or other equipment does not by itself establish that the systems are usable during an emergency.
The exercise also creates a reporting mechanism for deficiencies. If shortcomings are identified during inspections, the findings must be submitted immediately to the concerned divisional deputy commissioner of police. This is intended to allow corrective action to be taken without waiting for the entire audit process to conclude.
The order assigns overall supervision of the campaign to the Joint Commissioner of Police responsible for organisation. Deputy commissioners of police from the city’s divisions will assist in completing the inspections within the prescribed timeframe. The report does not specify the deadline for completing the audits or provide a consolidated list of the premises covered by the order.
The initiative places police buildings within the wider fire-safety responsibilities of a dense city, where stations, administrative offices and residential compounds operate alongside surrounding neighbourhoods. A failure of equipment or a lack of familiarity with emergency procedures can affect not only occupants but also the speed and effectiveness of the first response.
For Kolkata Police, the audit will therefore combine physical inspection with staff preparedness. The equipment checks will establish whether fire-safety resources are available and serviceable, while the drills will test how personnel respond to an emergency. The divisional reporting process is expected to identify gaps requiring follow-up at individual premises.
The next steps are the coordinated fire drills, inspections of equipment and submission of any deficiencies to the relevant divisional deputy commissioners of police under the supervision of the Joint Commissioner of Police responsible for the campaign.