Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) signed a strategic agreement with the Institute of Fire Safety and Disaster Management Studies (IFSDMS) to strengthen emergency response capabilities through specialised Live Fire Training for its officers. The initiative aims to enhance practical preparedness and reinforce safety standards across HPCL’s extensive energy infrastructure.
Agreement Signed to Enhance Industrial Safety Training
The agreement was formally signed by Dharmendra Kumar Sharma, Executive Director – Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) at HPCL, and Dharmendra Wakharikar, Chief Coordinator of IFSDMS. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Vikram Mahurkar, who also serves as Managing Director of Checkmate Group. Through the partnership, both organisations aim to strengthen professional training standards and improve the capability of energy sector personnel to handle complex emergency situations.
Preparing HPCL Officers for High-Risk Industrial Scenarios
As a Maharatna CPSE and a key player in India’s energy sector, HPCL operates a vast network of refineries, depots, terminals, and more than 21,000 retail outlets across the country. Given the scale and complexity of these operations, robust safety training remains essential.
Therefore, the collaboration focuses on complementing conventional classroom learning with realistic live-fire simulations. These hands-on training sessions will allow HPCL officers to practice responding to high-risk industrial incidents, thereby improving their decision-making and emergency response capabilities.
Advanced Fire and Disaster Management Training Facility
The IFSDMS training centre is located near Vadodara and spans approximately 75 acres. It is equipped with specialised infrastructure designed for advanced fire and disaster management training. The facility includes industrial mock-ups such as process units and LPG installations, which help replicate real-world industrial environments. As a result, trainees can participate in realistic live-fire exercises that simulate emergency scenarios commonly encountered in large-scale industrial operations.
Strengthening Safety Culture and Operational Resilience
Through this partnership, HPCL aims to further strengthen its safety culture, operational readiness, and emergency response capability across its workforce. The initiative will also support the protection of critical energy infrastructure and improve resilience in managing industrial emergencies. As per the press release, the collaboration highlights HPCL’s commitment to maintaining high safety standards while ensuring that its personnel remain fully prepared to handle potential risks in the energy sector.
