The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has recruited 36 new firefighters to boost emergency response, following its long-term plan to improve fire safety in the city.

Plans include establishing five new fire substations, expanding the cadre to include women firefighters, and launching a voluntary fire response team to train youth as first responders.

Mayor Vraie Balthazaar highlighted the initiative as a step toward building community resilience and faster emergency preparedness.