Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with all States and Union Territories and coordinated support from Central Ministries and Departments, has commenced the nationwide observance of Fire Safety Week 2026 from May 4 to May 10. 

The initiative aims to reinforce fire prevention, preparedness, and emergency response mechanisms across healthcare institutions in India.

The observance began with a nationwide pledge ceremony themed “Fire Safety in Health Facilities,” led by Punya Salila Srivastava, Union Health Secretary. The event highlighted the collective responsibility of healthcare institutions and stakeholders in building safer healthcare environments.

Addressing the gathering, Srivastava stated that this year’s broader theme—“Safe Schools, Safe Hospitals, and a Fire-Safety Aware Society: Together for Fire Prevention” underscored the importance of training healthcare professionals to respond effectively during fire emergencies and encouraged States and healthcare institutions to regularly upload fire safety audit reports on the IHIP portal to institutionalize compliance practices. 

Highlighting growing participation in digital learning initiatives, she noted that more than 50,000 participants have already completed the iGOT fire safety course.

Krishna S. Vatsa, Member and Head at the National Disaster Management Authority, emphasized the need for a proactive and systems-driven approach to hospital fire safety. He informed that NDMA plans to conduct five regional programmes alongside State- and district-level initiatives to improve preparedness and build institutional capacity.

Speaking on the occasion, Sunil Kumar Jha, Director General (Fire Services), highlighted the critical need for continuous vigilance, regular safety audits, and adherence to fire safety norms in healthcare facilities, noting that hospitals are highly sensitive environments where even minor lapses can have serious consequences.

During the event, the Ministry officially launched the “National Guidelines on Fire and Life Safety in Healthcare Facilities (2026),” developed through consultations with experts and leading healthcare institutions. The guidelines cover governance structures, risk mitigation, infrastructure planning, emergency response systems, training, compliance, and awareness generation.

The framework also includes updated provisions for high-risk hospital areas such as ICUs, NICUs, PICUs, and operation theatres, where stringent fire safety measures are essential.

As part of Fire Safety Week, healthcare facilities across the country will conduct fire safety audits, mock drills, evacuation exercises, live demonstrations of fire suppression systems, and technical webinars to strengthen awareness and preparedness.