View source for Kerala Fire and Rescue Services-288449

{{Short description|Fire department in Kerala, India}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=December 2018}}
{{Primary sources|date=December 2018}}}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox fire department
| name               = Kerala Fire and Rescue Services
| native_name        = കേരള ഫയര്‍ ആന്‍ഡ് റെസ്‌ക്യൂ സര്‍വീസ്
| native_name_lang   = ml
| logo               =[[File:Kerala Fire and Rescue Services logo.png|200px]]
| logo_caption       = Emblem of Kerala Fire and Rescue Services
| image_size         = 100px
| motto              = "We serve to Save"
| country            = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1  = State
| subdivision_name1  = {{flagicon image|Government of Kerala Logo.svg}} [[Kerala]]
| address            = Fire and Rescue Services HQ, Fire Force Junction, Pulimood P.O. Thiruvananthapuram-695001
| established        = {{Start date and age|1963}}
| annual calls       = -
| employees          = * 4900 (Executive) <ref>{{Cite web | title=Growth in Staff Strength – KERALA FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES | url=https://fire.kerala.gov.in/en/growth-in-staff-strength/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630113343/https://fire.kerala.gov.in/en/growth-in-staff-strength/ | access-date=2025-11-21 | archive-date=2023-06-30}}</ref>
* 200 (Ministerial staffs)
|staffing=Career members and volunteers| commissioner       =
| chief              =
| chief1_description = Director General
| chief1_name        = [[Nitin Agarwal (civil servant)|Nitin Agarwal]] [[Indian Police Service|IPS]]<ref>{{Cite web | title=Administrative Officers – KERALA FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES | url=https://fire.kerala.gov.in/en/administrative-officers/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628232711/https://fire.kerala.gov.in/en/administrative-officers/ | access-date=2025-11-21 | archive-date=2023-06-28}}</ref>
| chief2_description = Director (Technical)
| chief2_name        = Noushad.M
| chief3_description = Director (Administration)
| chief3_name        = Arun Alphonse
|divisions={{Collapsible list
 | title = Regional offices (6)
 | 1 = Thiruvananthapuram
 | 2 = Kottayam
 | 3 = Ernakulam
 | 4 = Palakkad
 | 5 = Kozhikode
 | 6 = Kannur
}}| unit1_description  = District Fire Offices
| unit1_no           = 14
| unit2_description  = Academy
| unit2_no           = * [[Kerala Fire and Rescue Services Academy]], [[Viyyur|Thrissur]]
* Institute for Advanced Training in Water Rescue, [[Fort Kochi]]
| stations           = 129
| engines            = 500
| ambulances         = -
| app1_description   = Volunteer units
| app1_no            = * Kerala [[Home Guard (India)|Homeguards]]
* Kerala [[Civil Defence]]
|app2_description=Parent department|app2_no=[[Department of Home (Kerala)|Home Department]], [[Government of Kerala]]| website            = {{Official website|https://fire.kerala.gov.in/en/}}}}

The '''Kerala Fire and Rescue Services''', formerly known as '''''Kerala Fire Force''''', is the service department of the [[Government of Kerala]] whose function is to fight fires and provide relief measures in times of calamities and disasters in [[Kerala]]. The Headquarters of the department is situated at [[Thiruvananthapuram]]. "WE SERVE TO SAVE" is the motto of the department. The current [[Director general (police)|Director General]] of Fire and Rescue Services ([[Fire chief|''Fire Chief'']]) of Kerala is [[Nitin Agarwal (civil servant)|Nitin Agarwal]], IPS.<ref>{{Cite web |title=In a major reshuffle of top IPS officials, Kerala govt appoints MR Ajith Kumar as new Excise Commissioner |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/in-a-major-reshuffle-of-top-ips-officials-kerala-govt-appoints-mr-ajith-kumar-as-new-excise-commissioner-siyy90f4 |access-date=2025-07-01 |website=@mathrubhumi |language=en}}</ref>

It is responsible for the provision of fire protection as well as responding to building collapses, drownings, gas leakage, oil spillage, road and rail accidents, bird and animal rescues, fallen trees and taking appropriate action during [[natural disasters]]. The department has now 129 Fire and Rescue stations, a [[Kerala Fire and Rescue Services Academy|Training Academy]] and an Institute of Advanced Water Rescue Training Centre consisting of nearly 4800 executive personnel and nearly 200 ministerial staff.

==History==
There were separate Fire services in [[Travancore]], [[Cochin]] and [[Malabar region|Malabar]] States before the formation of Kerala State. There were three fire stations in Travancore and Kochi and five fire stations in Malabar. These stations were under the control of Police Department. In 1949, the Fire Station of Travancore and Cochin states were joined together. In 1956, Malabar state was also included and thus the Kerala Fire Service came into being. From then onwards, the Inspector General of Police was the head of the Fire Service up to 1963. Fire services worked as part of the Police Department. As per the notification of The Kerala Government in 1962, Kerala Fire Force Act came into existence.

The Kerala Fire Force department started working as a separate department since 1963. Director of Civil Defence held the position of the Head of the Department till 1967. From 1967 to August 1970 an Inspector General of Police held the charge of the Director for Fire Force. In 1970 the Fire Force Department was brought under a separate Director. In 1982 the name of the Director of Fire Force was renamed as Commandant General, Home Guards, Civil Defence and Fire Force. Considering the rescue works under taken by this Department and significance in that area, this department had been renamed as '''Kerala Fire & Rescue Services''' in 2002. Now the Department is rendering its remarkable and commendable service through 129 Fire & Rescue Stations. In 2015 the name of the Commandant General was renamed as '''Director General''', Fire and Rescue, Home Guards and Civil Defence. There are 14 District Offices and 6 Regional Offices in [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kottayam]], [[Ernakulam]], [[Palakkad]] [[Kozhikode]] and Kannur and one regional Fire Officer in the post of Director and three district Fire Officers in the post of Assistant Director in the [[Kerala Fire and Rescue Services Academy]]. The Motor Transport wing was established in Headquarters, Academy and six Regional offices. The Department is in a stage of modernisation and development so as to provide better service to the public in all emergency situations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Know the Department – KERALA FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES |url=https://fire.kerala.gov.in/en/know-the-department/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=fire.kerala.gov.in}}</ref>

==Organisation structure==
The Kerala Fire and Rescue Services functions under the administrative control of the [[Department of Home (Kerala)|Home Department]], [[Government of Kerala]].

The head of the department is the '''Director General (D.G.)''', an [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] cadre officer with the rank of [[Director General of Police]]. Under the Director General, there are the Director (Technical) and the Director (Administration) at the headquarters. There are six Regional Offices consisting of two or three districts, located in [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kottayam]], [[Ernakulam]], [[Palakkad]], [[Kozhikode]] and [[Kannur]] where Regional Officers are in charge. Each district has a District Fire Office and under each District Fire Officer there are Fire & Rescue Stations where a Station Officer as the station in charge.

At each station, in addition to Station Officer there are Assistant Station Officers, Senior Fire and Rescue Officer, Senior Fire and Rescue Officer (Mechanic), Fire and Rescue Officer (Driver), Fire and Rescue Officer. In addition to this, there is a full-fledged ministerial staff at Headquarters, Regional offices, Viyyur Academy and District Offices.
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ '''Regional Fire Offices, Districts, and Fire Stations'''<ref>{{Cite web |last=RESCUE |first=FIRE AND |date=2021-02-24 |title=Organisation Structure |url=https://fire.kerala.gov.in/en/organisation-structure/ |access-date=2025-07-31 |website=Kerala Fire and Rescue Services |language=en-GB}}</ref>
! Regional Office !! District !! Fire & Rescue Stations
|-
| rowspan="2" | Thiruvananthapuram
{{Resize|(HQ: [[Thiruvananthapuram]])}}
| [[Thiruvananthapuram district|Thiruvananthapuram]]|| Thiruvananthapuram, Chacka, Vizhinjam, Parassala, Neyyattinkara, Kattakada, Nedumangad, Attingal, Varkala, Poovar, Vithura, Venjaramoodu, Kallambalam, Kazhakoottam
|-
| [[Kollam district|Kollam]]|| Kadappakada, Chamakada, Paravoor, Kundara, Punaloor, Kadakkal, Sasthamkotta, Karunagappally, Kottarakkara, Pathanapuram, Chavara.
|-
| rowspan="3" | Kottayam
{{Resize|(HQ: [[Kottayam]])}}
| [[Kottayam district|Kottayam]]||Kottayam, Kanjirapallly, Pala, Kaduthuruthy, Pampady, Changanaserry, Erattupetta, Vaikkom
|-
| [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]]|| Pathanamthitta, Thiruvalla, Adoor, Ranni, Seethathode, Konni.
|-
| [[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]]|| Alappuzha, Kayamkulam, Mavelikkara, Haripad, Chengannur, Cherthala, Thakazhi, Aroor.
|-
| rowspan="2" | Ernakulam
{{Resize|(HQ: [[Eranakulam]])}}
| [[Ernakulam district|Ernakulam]]|| Club Road, Mattancherry, Thrikkakara, Thrippunithura, Piravam, Angamali, North Paravoor, Aluva, Koothattukulam, Muvattupuzha, Kalloorkad, Perumbavoor, Pattimattom, Eloor, Kothamangalam, Mulanthuruthy, and Vypin.
|-
| [[Idukki district|Idukki]]|| Idukki, Kattapana, Munnar, Thodupuzha, Peerumede, Moolamattom, Adimali, Nedumkandam.
|-
| rowspan="3" |Palakkad
{{Resize|(HQ: [[Palakkad]])}}
|[[Thrissur district|Thrissur]]
|Thrissur, Chalakkudy, Irinjalakkuda, Mala, Kodungalloor, Kunnamkulam, Wadakkanchery, Puthukkad, Nattika, Guruvayoor
|-
| [[Palakkad district|Palakkad]]|| Palakkad, Kanjikode, Mannarkkad, Chittur, Alathur, Shornur, Kollamkode, Kongad, Pattambi, Vadakkancheri
|-
| [[Malappuram district|Malappuram]]|| Malappuram, Perinthalmanna, Manjeri, Nilambur, Tirur, Ponnani, Kondotty, Thiruvali
|-
| rowspan="2" | Kozhikode
{{Resize|(HQ: [[Kozhikode]])}}
| [[Kozhikode district|Kozhikode]]|| Meenchanda, Kozhikode Beach, Vellimadukunnu, Perambra, Nadapuram, Vadakara, Mukkom, Narikuni (Koduvalli), and Koilandy.
|-
| [[Wayanad district|Wayanad]]|| Kalpetta, Sultan Bathery, Mananthavady
|-
| rowspan="2" | Kannur
{{Resize|(HQ: [[Kannur]])}}
| [[Kannur district|Kannur]]|| Iritty, Mattannur, Koothuparambu, Thalasserry, Thaliparambu, Peravoor, Payyannur, Peringom, and Panoor.
|-
| [[Kasaragod district|Kasaragod]] || Kasaragod, Kanhangad, Uppala, Nileshwaram, Kuttikol
|}
{{clear}}

===Hierarchy===

==== Officers ====
* Director General, Fire and Rescue Services and Civil Defence (IPS Cadre)
* Director (Technical)/ Director (Administration)
* Regional Fire Officer (RFO)
* District Fire Officer (DFO)

==== Subordinates ====
* Station Officer (STO)
* Assistant Station Officer (ASTO)
* Senior Fire and Rescue Officer (SFRO)
* Senior Fire and Rescue Officer (Mechanic) [SFRO(M)]
* Fire and Rescue Officer (Driver) [FRO(D)]
* Fire and Rescue Officer (FRO)
* Fire Woman(FW)

==Rank structure==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ '''Kerala Fire and Rescue Services – Rank Structure'''
! Title / Designation 
!Insignia!! Explanation
|-
| '''Director General, Fire and Rescue Services, [[Civil defense|Civil Defence]] and [[Home Guard (India)|Homeguards]]''' 
| {{Center|'''[[File:Director General of Police.png|60px]]'''}}|| An [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] officer of the rank [[Director general of police|DGP]]; Head of the department, overall command and policy decisions
|-
| '''Director (Technical) / Director (Administration)''' 
| [[File:Director of Fire rank insignia (Kerala).png|center|frameless|112x112px]]|| Highest ranking uniformed officers assisting the DG in technical and administrative matters
|-
| '''Regional Fire Officer (RFO)''' 
| [[File:Regional Fire Officer rank insignia (Kerala).png|center|frameless|112x112px]]|| Supervises fire services across multiple districts; reports to headquarters. Heads fire and rescue services academy.
|-
| '''District Fire Officer (DFO)''' 
| [[File:District Fire Officer rank insignia (Kerala).png|center|frameless|112x112px]]|| In charge of fire and rescue operations in a district; manages fire stations within the district
|-
| '''Station Officer (STO)''' 
| [[File:Station Officer Insignia (Kerala Fire and Rescue Services).png|center|frameless|90x90px]]|| Officer-in-charge of a [[fire station]]; leads fire and rescue operations locally. Also heads .
|-
| '''Assistant Station Officer (ASTO)''' 
| [[File:Assistant Station Officer rank insignia (Kerala Fire Force).png|center|frameless|90x90px]]|| Assists the Station Officer in day-to-day operations and leadership
|-
| '''Senior Fire and Rescue Officer (SFRO)''' 
| [[File:Deputy Prison Officer rank insignia of Kerala Jail Service.png|center|frameless|60x60px]]{{Center|(Sleeve insignia)}}|| Experienced firefighter; may act as team leader in operations
|-
| '''Senior Fire and Rescue Officer (Mechanic)''' 
|[[File:Deputy Prison Officer rank insignia of Kerala Jail Service.png|center|frameless|60x60px]]{{Center|(Sleeve insignia)}} || Specialised role for maintenance of fire vehicles and mechanical equipment
|-
| '''Fire and Rescue Officer (Driver)''' 
|          '''''No insignia''''' || Drives and operates [[fire engine]]s and emergency vehicles
|-
| '''Fire and Rescue Officer (FRO)''' 
|          '''''No Insignia''''' || Entry-level personnel; frontline responder in fire and rescue missions
|}

==Services==
* Rescue services
* Pumping services
* Ambulance services
* Awareness programs
* Security Checkup
* Training programs
* Mock drills
* Stand-by duties
* Recovery vehicles

==Selection and training==
[[File:SCUBA team.jpg|thumb|[[Scuba diving|SCUBA]] training]]
Recruitment of personnel is based on statewide. The [[Kerala Public Service Commission]] is undertaking the recruitment procedure. Recruitment procedure includes written examination, physical test and medical test. Those who has selected has to undergo a training as specified.
For imparting training to the employees and newly recruited [[Fire and Rescue Officer]], Fireman and Rescue Officer( Driver) and Senior Fire and Rescue Officer (Mechanic), Fire And Rescue Services Academy was started at Viyyur, Thrissur in 2007. The supervision of this Academy is held by the Director in the rank of Regional Fire Officer. Three District Fire Officers and Station Officer who have the charge of the training are also working in this Academy.

==See also==
* [[Kerala Fire and Rescue Services Academy]] 
* [[National Disaster Response Force]] (NDRF)

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Kerala Fire and Rescue Services Ashok Leyland fire engine standby during a festival.jpg|Kerala Fire and Rescue Services Ashok Leyland [[fire engine]] standby during a festival.
File:Fireman in Kerala.jpg|Fireman in uniform.
File:Kerala Fire and Rescue Services Leyland water tender.jpg|Water tender used by the KFRS.
File:Fire and rescue Kerala Fire Service.jpg|An old Tata engine of the Kerala Fire Force.
File:Kerala fire force logo.jpg|emblem
File:Fire & rescue station - ernakulam - club road.JPG|Fire and Rescue Station, Ernakulam.
File:Kerala fire force.jpg|Firemen in duty.
File:Kerala Fire & Recue Service Vehicle (1).jpg|water tender
File:Kerala Fire and Rescue Services-Rescue Diver dress 04.jpg
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Kerala Fire And Rescue Services}}

{{State agencies of Kerala}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Organisations based in Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:1963 establishments in Kerala]]
[[Category:Fire departments of India]]
[[Category:State agencies of Kerala]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1963]]