Fire service expert dead

G.B. Menon, former fire adviser to the union government (1980-1984) and a pioneer of professional education and training of fire engineering services in the country, has died of cancer here. He was 88.

Menon, who died Friday, was a member-secretary of the government's Standing Fire Advisory Council, the apex body for laying down policy guidelines and instructions on all matters concerning the fire protection services in the country.

Since his retirement, he founded and chaired the National Association of Fire Officers, and became director of the Institute of Fire Protection Technology, which carried out fire safety training programmes for various public and private sector undertakings.

Menon had also served as fire adviser, Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) in 2004 and 2010; member, Oil Industry Safety Directorate's (OISD) Audit Team for Refineries, ONGC installations, and also for major steel plants.

He was conferred with Lifetime Achievements Awards by several national associations, including the home ministry, for his outstanding services and contributions to the fire service profession.

Menon was founder-member of the Indian Aviation Fire Safety Specialists Group (IAFSSG), which in June conferred on him the Lifetime Achievements Award.