Pune: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation's fire brigade has issued notices to 623 private hospitals and clinics across the city. The facilities have been given ten days to submit details of their fire prevention measures.

Following this, fire department officials will conduct thorough inspections to ensure compliance. Notices will also be issued to all private schools next week.

This action comes in the wake of several recent fire-related incidents in hospitals. The fire department's initiative aims to prevent such occurrences by ensuring that all hospitals and clinics have adequate fire safety measures in place.

Managers of these facilities must provide detailed information on their fire safety systems, which will then be inspected by fire department officials. Next week, similar notices will be issued to all private schools in the city, with subsequent inspections to ensure they also comply with fire safety regulations.

Deputy Commissioner of the Fire Department, Manoj Lonkar, emphasized the importance of this initiative: "We have issued notices to hospitals and clinics regarding fire safety. After receiving the necessary information, inspections will be carried out to verify if the systems are operational. Obtaining an NOC from the fire department is mandatory. Hospitals without an NOC will not receive a medical license."

The inspections will include checks on the expiration dates of fire-fighting equipment, water pressure levels, and the functionality of alarm systems. Special attention will be given to sensitive areas like intensive care units, ensuring they have undergone electrical audits and that flammable materials are properly managed.

Recently, fire brigade personnel have received training for emergency rescue operations. The training included demonstration of the use of a new pulley system, rescue procedures during fire, earthquake, or a medical emergency.