Every year on Republic Day, six firemen from the country are awarded the fire service medal for gallantry. And on Friday, two of these medals were awarded to bravehearts from Telangana, Thirjasi Satyam and Sunku Jagadesh.
Both firemen are from the Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services Department and have inspiring stories where they showed commendable courage in rescue operations.
Satyam’s story
Satyam works at the Warangal fire station. He was faced with a difficult situation on October 16 last year, when a short circuit caused a gas cylinder to explode at the Rohini Super Speciality Hospital in Hanamkonda.
The two upper floors was filled with smoke, and the visibility was zero by the time the fire brigade reached the spot. Satyam, displaying immense courage, broke the glass window and entered the inferno. In a 45-minute search and rescue operation, Satyam managed to save 20 patients. Despite Satyam and the fire department’s efforts however, two people died in the mishap.
An official at the Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services Department said that the feat earned him the “highest level of appreciation”. The official added that Satyam displayed sincerity and dedication and lived up to the motto of the fire department, “we serve to save”.
Jagadesh’s story
28-year-old Jagadesh, who works with Cherlapally fire station in Medchal district of Telangana showed exemplary presence of mind on September 14, 2017 when a massive explosion at a Hindustan Petroleum LPG gas filling unit set off a blaze.
Jagadesh, part of a four-member team which responded to the emergency call that day, took active part in firefighting which lasted four hours. The team also comprised of Cherlapally Fire Station Officer V Shekhar Reddy, Fireman G Jalandhar and Fire Operator S Shiva Kumar.
Although the fire began at 8.35pm; the team worked till 4am to douse the fire. The blaze started after 40 cylinders exploded. Luckily, there were no casualties.
Apart from Satyam and Jagadeesh, the other four awardees for the fire service medal for gallantry are Akshay Ranjan Sharma, Ajay Kumar Sharma, Sitab Singh, and Ramgopal Singh. All of them are from Uttar Pradesh.