Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala will recruit 1,000 retired military personnel as home guards to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Fire and Rescue Services, State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said on Wednesday.

The retired servicemen will be deployed for disaster management operations and service duties, including traffic management, he said.

The decision has been taken in view of the increasing number of disaster situations and growing public safety requirements in the state, Chennithala told reporters after a meeting with senior officials at the Fire and Rescue Services headquarters here.

Stating that the Fire and Rescue Services have emerged as a crucial force in disaster response, the minister said the additional manpower would further enhance the efficiency of the department.

The government will prepare a comprehensive modernisation plan for the force in view of climate change and the increasing frequency of disasters, he said.

“Our objective is to equip the force professionally so that it can respond more effectively to the changing needs of the people,” Chennithala said.

Kerala currently has 133 fire stations, and the government will also take steps to recruit more officers and firefighters as part of the modernisation drive, he added.

The minister said procurement procedures for sky lifts and small lifts to tackle fires in high-rise buildings were progressing.

Awareness campaigns on disaster preparedness and self-defence training programmes will also be organised to improve public safety, he said.

The government plans to strengthen disaster awareness and civil defence training in residential associations and schools, and expand swimming training programmes for children and residents of apartment complexes across the state.

A survey of fire-prone areas in Kerala will be initiated, while discussions will be held with the forest department to strengthen measures against forest fires, Chennithala said.

He said the Fire and Rescue Services have been playing a vital role during emergencies such as fires, floods, and other natural disasters.

The force has demonstrated its professional capability during major incidents, including firefighting operations at various locations recently and rescue missions involving stranded tourists in Munnar, he added.

Chennithala said the Fire and Rescue Services has evolved into the primary first responder force in disaster situations, reducing the state’s dependence on agencies such as the Navy and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

State Fire Force Chief Nitin Agrawal and the Home Minister’s police advisor A Hemachandran were also present at the press conference.