NEW DELHI — The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has announced the observance of Nationwide Fire Safety Week 2026 from May 4 to May 10, with a critical emphasis on bolstering fire prevention and emergency preparedness in healthcare facilities across the country.
In a high-level communication to Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories, Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava highlighted the increased risks posed by soaring summer temperatures and surging electrical loads. This initiative aims to transition hospital safety from a reactive measure to a proactive, ingrained culture of vigilance.
Theme for 2026
The week will be observed under the theme: “Safe School, Safe Hospital and Fire Safety Aware Society – Together for Fire Prevention”. The focus reflects the unique challenges of healthcare environments, where patients often have limited mobility and rely on a high density of oxygen and electrical medical equipment.
Mandatory Drills and Audits
The Ministry has issued a comprehensive framework for implementation, directing district hospitals, medical colleges, and private healthcare institutions to undertake several key actions:
- Comprehensive Fire Audits: Facilities must use an updated Fire Safety Assessment Checklist to evaluate detection and suppression systems, such as alarms, smoke detectors, and extinguishers.
- Digital Reporting: All assessment reports must be submitted via the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) portal, and any identified gaps must be rectified immediately.
- Electrical Load Assessments: Hospitals are required to conduct regular electrical audits to prevent short circuits caused by overloading, particularly in ICUs and high-demand areas.
- Training & Mock Drills: Staff must be trained in the “PASS” technique (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) for extinguishers and conduct biannual evacuation drills involving both day and night shifts.
Building a “Safety-Aware” Culture
Beyond technical inspections, the campaign includes community-facing activities such as a Nationwide Fire Safety Pledge and online quizzes hosted on the MyGov platform. To ensure continuous learning, the Ministry is promoting the “Fire Safety in Healthcare Facilities” course on the iGOT Karmayogi platform, specifically designed for the rapid upskilling of medical and auxiliary staff.
The Ministry has also requested Action Taken Reports (ATR) from all states following the week’s observance to ensure accountability and long-term compliance with the National Building Code 2016.
