Panaji (Goa): It is a proud moment for Goa Fire and Emergency Services as Government of India has approved two fire sub officers Shivanand M Raut and Anant T Gawas for President Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service. Both officers are over three decades old in the department and have been also awarded at State level for showing exemplary work.

Raut joined Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services on September 26, 1983 as Fire Fighter and has successfully completed Basic Fire Fighting Training. He was promoted to the post of Leading Fire Fighter in year 2006 and therrafter to the post of Sub-Officer in 2014 year.

Raut has completed 34 years of Service in the Department and during his tenure, he has worked at various Fire Stations and exhibited keen interest in executing difficult task in the operational field.

In the year 2007 Raut showed exemplary performance in the Field of Rescue Operation at Flood Affected Areas of Bicholim and Sanquelim during the monsoon. In an another incident he displayed exemplary courage and dedication while rescuing a person Anand Panvelkar who was trapped in a lift for almost two hours in Panaji on July 15, 2013. “He has always shown exemplary performance in saving lives disregarding personal safety. He is capable of handling situations tactfully,” states a note shared by hover mentioned on Goa.

In appreciation of his commendable service he was awarded the Goa Chief Minister’s Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service on the occasion of Goa Liberation Day in 2009. He was also awarded Cash Award on three occasions and Commendatory Note/Merit Certificate on five occasions.

While Anant Tukaram Gawas joined Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services on May 4, as Fire Fighter and he too successfully completed Elementary Course in General Fire Fighting. He was promoted to the post of Leading Fire Fighter in the year 2010 and to the post of Sub-Officer in 2018. The government note further says that Gawas has put in 30 years of continuous service in the Department and during his tenure, he has worked at various Fire Stations and has exhibited keen interest in executing difficult tasks in the operational field.

“He has always shown exemplary performance in saving lives disregarding personal safety. He is capable of handling situations tactfully. During his tenure he was awarded Commendatory Note/Merit Certificate on four occasions in appreciation of his good discipline and General Behaviour and for Dedication and Devotion to duties. Gawas is well disciplined; obedient, hard working and loyal to the department,” it said.

He was also the recipient of Goa Chief Minister’s Fire Service Medal for Meritorious Service on the occasion of Goa Liberation Day in 2013.