Rising industrialisation, infrastructural development and high-rise apartments have increased the demand for professionals

Gaining expertise in fire safety can open up several career opportunities in both the government and private sectors. Rising industrialisation, infrastructural development such as schools, colleges, shopping centres, offices and high-rise apartments have escalated the demand for experts in the field.

The course offers practical training in firefighting techniques, handling of fire equipment and appliances, life-rescue techniques and more. The students are also taught fire engineering science, safety engineering and management. The curriculum also includes lessons on nuances of Safety Act and law.

“Those who gain expertise in this field can get jobs as fire and safety officer, fireman, leading fireman depending on the expertise and skills,” says Anand Bankar, director, National Institute of Fire Safety Engineering (NIFSE), Nagpur.

Women enrolment in fire safety courses, says Bankar, is on a rise. “Almost all the students from our institute got a job after finishing the course,” adds Bankar. Students, mostly from tier II, III cities and remote areas have started taking up short-term certificate courses, BTech, PG diploma programmes to equip themselves to be job-ready.

Delhi Institute of Fire Engineering (DIFE), New Delhi, is yet another institute offering niche courses in fire safety. “Initially, students from neighbouring states such as Haryana and Punjab enrolled at DIFE. But, now we have a decent enrolment of students from southern and eastern states, “says Praveen Chaudhari, director (training) Delhi Institute of Fire Engineering (DIFE).

Currently, DIFE offers three types of courses such as short-term, certificate and diploma approved by the Board of Technical Education, New Delhi. The campus is also equipped with hostel facility for outstation students.