LUCKNOW, April 18 -- : In a bid to tackle a rise in fire incidents, the Uttar Pradesh government will facilitate the recruitment of over two lakh fire safety officers and personnel in private establishments such as malls, hospitals, schools, and large commercial buildings after getting them properly trained by the fire services department.

With this move, Uttar Pradesh will become the first state in the country to systematically train and employ youth in firefighting roles across private institutions, the state government media cell said in a press statement on Thursday. Acting on the instructions of chief minister Yogi Adityanath, the department has formulated a comprehensive action plan for this initiative, the statement added.

"The e...