Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Nitin V. Raiker, Director of Fire and Emergency Services, has been awarded the prestigious Director General Fire Service, Civil Defence and Home Guard Bronze Disc and Commendation Certificate by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. The honour was conferred on the occasion of Fire Service Week 2025 in recognition of his exceptional leadership, unwavering commitment, and distinguished service in the field of fire safety and emergency response.
Raiker has dedicated over 34 years of service to the Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services, beginning his journey on January 3, 1991 as an Assistant Station Fire Officer. He rose through the ranks with distinction — promoted to Station Fire Officer in 1998, Assistant Divisional Officer in 2010, Deputy Director (Fire Services) in 2014, and assumed charge as Director on November 15, 2021.
A staunch advocate for continuous professional development, Raiker has completed several specialised training programmes. These include the Sub-Officers Course (1994), Station Officer and Instructor Course (2003) — which he passed with Honours, and the Divisional Officers Course (2006), where he earned a Distinction and was awarded a Gold Medal. He also holds the distinction of being a Fellow Member of the Institution of Fire Engineers, London (UK), having cleared its membership examination in 2010.
Further enhancing his expertise, Shri Raiker received advanced training at the Fire Service College in Moreton-in-Marsh, UK, completing courses in Training of Trainers, Urban Search and Rescue Operations, and Medical First Responder.
Over the course of his career, Raiker has been recognized with several awards. Notably, he was conferred the Chief Minister’s Fire Service Medal in 2008, and the President’s Fire Service Medal on Independence Day, August 15, 2023. His outstanding contributions during the 2001 Gujarat earthquake rescue operations were acknowledged through certificates of appreciation from both the Government of Gujarat and the Indian Red Cross Society.
The latest commendation adds another milestone to his distinguished career and stands as a testament to his commitment to public safety and emergency preparedness.
