Jamshedpur: The West Singhbhum district administration on Tuesday conducted fire safety mock drills at 10 private hospitals, nursing homes and clinics in Chaibasa to test emergency preparedness and train healthcare workers to handle fire-related emergencies.The exercise, carried out under the guidance of deputy commissioner Manish Kumar, simulated fire incidents at identified medical facilities. Fire service personnel created controlled emergency scenarios and demonstrated the proper use of fire extinguishers, evacuation methods and emergency response protocols to doctors, nurses, hospital management representatives and support staff.The teams also trained participants in safe patient evacuation, handling smoke-filled areas, maintaining ventilation during emergencies and ensuring that fire alarms, water sources and emergency exits remain functional.DC Kumar said the exercise was aimed at making safety protocols part of everyday practice. “The safety of patients and healthcare workers is our highest priority. Framing rules alone is not enough. Regular drills and preparedness are essential to prevent any untoward incident and ensure that every hospital is ready to respond effectively during an emergency,” he said.Around 50 doctors and hospital staff took part in the drills. Participants said the practical demonstrations would help them respond more confidently during real emergencies. “Today’s hands-on training taught us how to use fire extinguishers correctly and evacuate patients without creating panic,” said Dr Ravindra Mahanty from one of the participating hospitals.A nursing supervisor, Oindrila, described the exercise as an eye-opener. “The mock drill showed us how every second counts during a fire. The evacuation techniques and coordination among staff were extremely useful,” she said.Officials said the initiative helped raise awareness about fire safety standards in Chaibasa’s private healthcare sector. Similar preparedness exercises will be held to strengthen disaster response across the district.
Fire service personnel teach participants how to use extinguishers in Chaibasa on Tuesday
