Odisha Integrates Ambulance Services with 112 Helpline, Fire Services to Lead Emergency Response

Bhubaneswar: In a landmark move to enhance emergency medical response, the Odisha government announced that dialing 112 will now connect citizens to ambulance services, with the Directorate General of Fire Services spearheading the initiative.

This step aims to deliver rapid medical aid, especially in road accidents and rural emergencies where timely intervention is critical.

To support the rollout, the State has equipped the Fire Services with dedicated ambulance vehicles. Additionally, 911 newly recruited Agniks (firefighters), selected nearly a decade after the last major hiring drive, have undergone specialized training in modern emergency protocols and will soon be deployed statewide.

This marks a strategic expansion of the fire services’ role, positioning them as frontline responders in medical crises. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will attend the passing out parade of these recruits on Saturday, August 23, underscoring the initiative’s importance in Odisha’s public safety vision.

With grassroots manpower and upgraded equipment, the State aims to deliver rescue services within the critical “golden hour,” reinforcing its disaster and emergency response framework across underserved regions.