The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has recruited  36 new firefighters this week to enhance fire safety and emergency response in the city.

According to the CMC, while the recent fire at 1st Cross Street brought renewed public attention to fire safety, these efforts are part of a longer-term plan by the CMC to strengthen emergency services in Colombo. 

Stating that ensuring fire safety in a densely built and often unplanned urban environment remains a significant challenge, the Council said it is committed to proactively addressing these risks.

One of the key priorities identified is the establishment of five additional fire substations across the city, aimed at reducing response times and improving coverage. Space for three of these substations has already been identified, with work underway to secure the remaining locations.

The CMC has also formally requested the expansion of its fire service cadre to include women firefighters, a necessary step toward building a more inclusive and representative service.

As part of its broader fire safety strategy, the CMC also announced the launch of a voluntary fire response team. This initiative will involve training youth from across the city to act as first responders within their own wards, offering immediate support during emergencies until municipal fire units arrive.

While speaking at the event welcoming the new recruits, Colombo Mayor Vraie Balthazaar underscored the importance of the next step, including voluntary services, describing it as “a vital step toward building local resilience and empowering communities to act quickly during emergencies.” 

She emphasized that the initiative would strengthen both emergency preparedness and civic engagement at the neighbourhood level.

The event was also attended by Deputy Mayor Hemantha Weerakoon, Commissioner Palitha Nanayakkara, and Chief Fire Officer Kamal Wilson, who reaffirmed the CMC’s long-term commitment to strengthening fire safety infrastructure and response capabilities in Colombo. (Newswire)

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