Background
Tamil Nadu’s First State Fire Commission Chairperson: Retired Tamil Nadu Director-General of Police Shankar Jiwal has been appointed as the first Chairman of the newly constituted State Fire Commission, effective from September 1, 2025.
Purpose of the Commission
The Commission’s mandate is to modernize the state’s fire and rescue services and enhance disaster response capabilities. It is tasked with designing new training programmes, leveraging global best practices, and integrating them into Tamil Nadu’s emergency response systems.
Static GK fact: In India, fire services are primarily a state subject under the Constitution, handled by respective state governments.
Composition and Structure
The six-member Commission will be chaired by Shankar Jiwal. Key members include:
- The Additional Director of Fire and Rescue Services, as ex-officio convenor.
- The CMDA Member-Secretary, as ex-officio member.
- KP Sathyamurthy, former Chief Engineer (PWD), and M Namasivayam, retired fire-service officer, as full-time members.
- Dr A. M. Ikram, Fire Marshal Secretary (IMA, Vellore), as a part-time member.
Objectives and Scope
The Commission’s 16 terms of reference include:
- Introducing technological innovations in firefighting and life rescue operations.
- Overseeing fire licence issuance and safety certifications for buildings.
- Developing certification-based training modules for fire-service personnel.
- Grading rescue stations to enhance responsiveness based on geography and risk profile—urban, rural, industrial, CBRN zones, hill stations, forests.
- Evaluating and learning from both national institutions (e.g., the National Fire Service College, Nagpur) and international models.
- Exploring private sector participation in fire-rescue operations and identifying funding mechanisms for modernization.
Static GK tip: The Fire Services Act in many states governs fire prevention and control, including inspections and fire safety guidelines—a critical tool for urban planning and safety.
Significance
This development marks a strategic shift in Tamil Nadu’s approach to emergency preparedness and public safety. It reflects a broader national emphasis on institutionalizing disaster response mechanisms by establishing specialized commissions and agencies.
The appointment of a seasoned police administrator like Jiwal ensures experienced leadership guiding modernization and capacity-building initiatives.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Tamil Nadu’s First State Fire Commission Chairperson:
| Topic | Detail |
| Commission Formation | State Fire Commission constituted; effective from September 1, 2025. |
| Chairman | Shankar Jiwal, retired Tamil Nadu DGP. |
| Composition | Includes Additional Director (Fire), CMDA Member-Secretary, KP Sathyamurthy, M Namasivayam, Dr A. M. Ikram. |
| Main Mandate | Modernize fire services, improve disaster response training. |
| Key Functions | Technology upgrades, safety certification regulation, station grading. |
| Learning Sources | National Fire Service College (Nagpur) and global best practices. |
| Innovation Focus | Training, funding models, private participation, licensing norms. |
