The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), India's only Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) with a dedicated fire wing, has been spearheading a nationwide fire training program. During the CISF Raising Day 2023, the Union Home Minister in his address has tasked the CISF with training firefighters from 100 Indian cities.
Following this directive, the CISF designed a specialized course to upgrade the skills of state fire service personnel. Throughout 2023-24, the CISF's prestigious Fire Service Training Institute (FSTI) in Hyderabad conducted 11 training batches, training 274 personnel from 113 cities.
This momentum continued into 2025 with the allocation of five additional batches. Four of these have already been completed, benefiting 106 participants from 46 cities across 10 states. The fifth session is scheduled to begin on August 25, 2025. To date, this vital program has successfully trained 380 firefighters from a total of 150 cities across 22 States and Union Territories. The CISF is also ready to accommodate additional training slots in the 2025 calendar if states are willing to nominate their firefighters for the course.
The training curriculum is designed to focus on modern firefighting and rescue techniques, alongside crucial disaster management skills. Special emphasis is placed on addressing the complex challenges posed by dense urban environments and hazardous industrial areas. The program covers advanced topics such as sophisticated fire response mechanisms, preparedness for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) emergencies and the handling of chemical warfare agents, reflecting the evolving nature of modern threats.
A CISF spokesperson highlighted the force's unique position and dedication, stating, "As the only CAPF with a dedicated Fire Wing, the CISF is committed to enhancing the technical skills of fire personnel and fostering a proactive culture for fire safety and disaster management preparedness. Our training programs are continuously updated to reflect the latest in fire safety research and practices, ensuring our firefighters are equipped not only for timely emergency response but also for prevention."
The FSTI in Hyderabad is a state-of-the-art facility and a cornerstone of firefighting training in India. It serves not only CISF personnel but also extends its expertise to members of various national and international organizations, underscoring the CISF's leading role in fire safety.
As this initiative progresses through 2025, the CISF aims to further strengthen its partnerships with state fire services. This will contribute to enhancing India's overall urban safety and security infrastructure, aligning with the government's vision of a disaster-resilient India and demonstrating the CISF's unwavering dedication to safeguarding lives and property.