BALCO Promotes Fire Safety Awareness and Excellence Through Week-long Campaign

Korba-Balconagar 26 April 2024: Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), India’s leading aluminium producer and a part of Vedanta Aluminium, celebrated National Fire Service Week with a dedicated fire safety campaign. The campaign, theme ‘Ensure Fire Safety, Contribute Towards Nation Building’, was aimed at enhancing fire safety awareness and preparedness in the company’s operations and beyond. The week-long initiative engaged over 2,000 participants, including employees, school students, and community members, who were sensitized to create a fire-safe environment through a variety of activities.

Initiated on April 14, the week featured a series of engaging competitions including quizzes, drawing contests, and slogan competitions, emphasizing the importance of fire safety. BALCO also conducted comprehensive safety training sessions to raise awareness about fire prevention measures. The highlight of the event was a special ‘Nukkad Natak’ (street play) based on fire safety guidelines and preparedness.

The event culminated with BALCO felicitating outstanding contributors to fire safety from different departments and sub-business units within the company, highlighting their efforts in ensuring safety within plant premises. Professionals from other businesses around Korba, including representatives from NTPC Limited (formerly known as National Thermal Power Corporation) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) also participated in the week-long campaign.

Mr. Rajesh Kumar, CEO and Director of BALCO, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to safety, stating, “Awareness is crucial for prevention. At BALCO, we prioritize safety by fostering awareness among employees and communities to effectively prevent and manage fire and safety incidents. Through proactive measures, resource allocation, and harnessing cutting-edge technology, we are not just keeping pace but staying ahead in safeguarding our operations and the community around us. Together, we are committed to fostering a safer and more secure tomorrow for all.”

Mr. Ashok Prasad, Assistant Commandant from NTPC Fire Department said, “I commend BALCO for their proactive and collaborative approach in managing safety incidents swiftly. The exemplary cooperation and mutual aid between fire units in the area not only emphasize collective readiness but also underscore their strong support towards the community. During the felicitation ceremony, I witnessed BALCO’s dedication to upholding the highest safety standards, reflecting their efforts to ensure a safe working environment for all.”

BALCO’s Fire Safety team is dedicated to ensuring safety by protecting people in and around plant operations during emergency situations. Some highlights from the fire department in the last financial year include:

• Responding to over 200 emergencies.

• Conducting comprehensive fire safety training for over 4,000 individuals, including instructions on fire extinguisher use, CPR techniques, and fire prevention protocols, enhancing emergency response readiness.

• Conducting over 70 mock drills in areas surrounding its operations, showcasing rapid response capabilities.

• Inaugurating three new high-performance fire tenders equipped with cutting-edge features to enhance safety in the vicinity.

• Fire safety teams logged over 9,000 standby hours, ensuring readiness for prompt response to emergency situations.