Cyberabad police conduct fire mock drill to boost emergency readiness

The Hindu

17-07-2025

A large-scale fire mock drill was carried out at the Cyberabad Police Commissionerate on Thursday, in an attempt to improve emergency preparedness and inter-agency coordination in the face of fire-related disasters.
The exercise was conducted in collaboration with the Telangana State Fire Services Department.
The drill began with the activation of the fire alarm system, triggering an immediate evacuation of staff from the Commissioner's office. Trained fire marshals directed teams from various departments, including Traffic, Cybercrime, She Teams, Economic Offences Wing, Bomb Disposal Squad, and CAR Headquarters, to the designated assembly point near the National Flag Post. The public address system, lift circuit breakers, and other safety protocols were activated as per the standard operating procedures, while a simulated rescue operation followed.
Madhapur Station Fire Officer Anjaneyulu Dodla led the live demonstration, explaining the use of different fire safety tools and techniques to handle various categories of fire incidents. He emphasised the need for calm, clear decision-making and adherence to evacuation routes during emergencies. He also conducted sessions on personal safety, the importance of early response, and how to operate extinguishers and alarms effectively.
A highlight of the drill was the deployment of a Bronto Skylift vehicle by the Fire Services Department, which simulated high-rise evacuation scenarios. Fire tenders, medical teams, and other safety units were also mobilised for the exercise, underscoring the department's capability to handle complex rescue operations.
Cyberabad Police Commissioner Avinash Mohanty and Joint Commissioner Gajarao Bhupal were also present throughout the exercise. They stressed the significance of routine drills, personal awareness, and technical readiness in preventing and responding to fire emergencies.
Following the mock drill, a review session was conducted to assess the performance of participating teams and identify areas for improvement. Officers discussed potential upgrades to equipment and training protocols while reiterating the importance of public communication during crises, particularly through timely social media updates to dispel misinformation.