Union Health Ministry Launches Nationwide Fire Safety Week to Strengthen Safety in Healthcare Facilities
The Union Health Ministry has launched Fire Safety Week 2026 to strengthen fire prevention, audits, mock drills and emergency preparedness across India.
By Srajan Agarwal | 2026-05-04T15:32:42.722739+05:30
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched the nationwide observance of Fire Safety Week from May 4 to 10, 2026, with a focus on improving fire prevention, preparedness and emergency response systems across healthcare facilities in the country.
The initiative is being carried out in partnership with all States and Union Territories and in coordination with relevant Central Ministries and Departments. The week-long campaign began with a nationwide pledge ceremony on the theme “Fire Safety in Health Facilities”, led by Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava.
As part of the initiative, the Ministry also launched the National Guidelines on Fire and Life Safety in Healthcare Facilities, 2026, aimed at creating stronger safety systems in hospitals and healthcare institutions, especially in high-risk areas such as ICUs, NICUs, PICUs and operation theatres.
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Source: PIB
Key Highlights
- The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has started the nationwide observance of Fire Safety Week from May 4 to 10, 2026.
- The campaign is being conducted in collaboration with States, Union Territories and relevant Central Ministries and Departments.
- The observance began with a nationwide pledge on “Fire Safety in Health Facilities”, led by Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava.
- The broader theme of the campaign is “Safe Schools, Safe Hospitals, and a Fire-Safety Aware Society: Together for Fire Prevention.”
- The Ministry has launched the National Guidelines on Fire and Life Safety in Healthcare Facilities, 2026.
- The guidelines focus on strengthening fire safety systems across healthcare institutions and improving emergency preparedness.
- Special attention has been given to high-risk hospital areas such as:
- Intensive Care Units
- Neonatal Intensive Care Units
- Pediatric Intensive Care Units
- Operation Theatres
- The Fire Safety Week will include:
- Fire safety audits
- Mock drills
- Patient evacuation exercises
- Live demonstrations
- Technical webinars
- Awareness activities in hospitals and medical colleges
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Speaking at the event, Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava said the Fire Safety Week is an important opportunity for institutions to review their infrastructure, assess whether proper audits have been conducted, and identify gaps that need correction.
She also stressed the importance of training healthcare professionals so that they can respond effectively during fire emergencies. She urged States and healthcare facilities to regularly upload fire safety audit details to the IHIP portal, saying this would help institutionalize compliance and keep safety standards under regular review.
The Health Secretary also noted that more than 50,000 participants, including those from several government institutions, have completed the iGOT fire safety course.She further said that people’s participation, or Jan Bhagidari, can help create a lasting impact in strengthening fire safety across India.
NDMA Emphasises Proactive Safety Measures
Source: PIB
Addressing the occasion, Shri Krishna S. Vatsa, Member and Head, National Disaster Management Authority, called for a proactive and system-based approach to fire safety in healthcare institutions.
He highlighted the need for a nationwide campaign to improve fire safety in hospitals. He also informed that NDMA is planning to organise five regional programmes, along with similar initiatives at the State and district levels, to build capacity and enhance preparedness.
He further stressed the need for regular audits, self-certification mechanisms, sustained awareness efforts and clearly defined evacuation procedures in every hospital.
Fire Services Chief Flags Risks in Hospitals
Shri Sunil Kumar Jha, Director General, Fire Services, said hospitals are sensitive and complex environments where even small lapses can lead to serious consequences.
He underlined the need for strict compliance with fire safety norms, regular audits, continuous capacity building and strong coordination among all stakeholders. He said preparedness and vigilance are essential to prevent fire incidents and ensure quick emergency response.
What the New Guidelines Cover
The newly launched National Guidelines on Fire and Life Safety in Healthcare Facilities, 2026 have been prepared after consultations with experts from leading institutions and hospitals.
The guidelines cover several important areas, including:
- Governance frameworks for fire safety
- Risk assessment and mitigation
- Infrastructure planning
- Emergency response systems
- Training and capacity building of healthcare staff
- Compliance mechanisms
- Awareness generation
- Safety measures for high-risk hospital zones
Activities Planned During Fire Safety Week
During the week-long observance, healthcare institutions across the country are expected to conduct several preparedness and awareness activities.
These include:
- Systematic fire safety audits
- Electrical safety audits
- Mock drills for emergency response
- Demonstrations on fire detection systems
- Demonstrations on fire suppression equipment
- Patient evacuation exercises
- Webinars on best practices and technical knowledge
- Poster-making competitions
- Quiz competitions
- Awareness sessions in medical colleges and tertiary care institutions
States Asked to Conduct Fire and Electrical Safety Audits
The Union Health Ministry has circulated an updated checklist to all States and Union Territories. It has urged them to direct all public and private healthcare facilities to conduct rigorous fire and electrical safety audits.
States have also been encouraged to organise awareness activities, especially in medical colleges and large hospitals, to build a stronger culture of safety among healthcare professionals and students.
The Ministry has called upon all stakeholders to actively participate in the campaign and follow the prescribed guidelines to ensure safer and more resilient healthcare facilities for patients, caregivers and healthcare workers.
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