Hyderabad: On Monday, a detailed fire drill took place at the TGICCC building in Banjara Hills to teach safe evacuation processes during emergencies. The drill aimed to help employees learn how to protect themselves.
The exercise began when the fire alarm rang in the 83.26-meter-tall building. Immediately, everyone started leaving the building calmly, avoiding chaos. During the drill, participants practiced moving low or crawling to breathe cleaner air near the floor.
Officials highlighted the importance of staying low in smoke-filled areas for better air quality. Once outside, everyone gathered at a safe spot for a headcount.
Fire department officials were present, stressing the need for regular fire safety checks and ongoing staff training. VB Kamlasan Reddy, Director of TGICCC, noted that those on higher floors face more danger during fires. He urged people to act fast to control flames and mentioned that TGICCC has all the necessary fire safety tools.
Reddy also announced the appointment of a Fire Marshal and assistant on each floor. These marshals will know employee details and guide them during emergencies. Missing persons will be reported by these marshals. Monthly mock drills are planned for the first Saturday.
CV Anand, Hyderabad City Police Commissioner, spoke about the importance of fire drills in tall buildings. He emphasized that employees should know the building layout, emergency exits, alarms, and fire equipment locations. The TGICCC building, designed with safety in mind, is centrally located on a 7.5-acre plot, allowing easy access for fire engines and ambulances.
The building has two staircases per tower, which should be used instead of elevators during emergencies. Anand stressed not to underestimate fire risks. He mentioned the building houses about 2,000 employees who should use the staircases during an emergency.
Anand stated these measures aim to transform TGICCC into a Multi-Agency Operation Center. He emphasized that such drills help people understand emergency responses and familiarize them with evacuation routes. “Safety is essential for everyone in Hyderabad,” he said.
Conducting these drills with various agencies ensures the community is ready for any emergency. Agencies involved included the Fire Department, Medical and Health, Municipal, Hydra, NDRF, R&B, Electricity, 108 Ambulance Services, Water Works, and Hyderabad City Police (Traffic and Law & Order).
Vikram Singh Mann, Additional CP Law & Order, K Apoorva Rao, DCP Special Branch, Pushpa, DCP TG ICCC, Damodar Singh, NDRF, Venkanna, District Fire Officer, and other officials were present.
