Inaugurating the National Fire Academy, Vala reminded the officials that they were duty-bound to serve the people. ``We are public servants and must remember that the customer is always right. Any official found misusing his post or not rising upto it will be held responsible'', he said. Vala also cautioned the people against ``finding the easier or faster way out'' by encouraging corruption. ``All complaints dealing with corruption, even the unsigned, are being looked into'', he said, exhorting the public servants ``to defend the society from within just like the soldiers guarding the national borders''.

Energy Minister Kaushik Patel praised the All India Institute of Local Self Government (AIILSG) for establishing the academy and said, ``The job problem for over 90 per cent of those training at the Academy can already be considered solved''.

AIILSG President Jatin Modi sought a Fire Prevention Act. ``The Act has been enforced in all other states. Looking at our vast industrial base, this Act becomes quintessential,'' he said, adding the AIILSG had also demanded a fire advisory board ``to bring a sort of uniform code of conduct in fire management for various State machinery''.

It is the second academy in the country after that in Nagpur. The courses have been designed in association with the London School of Fire. The regular firemen courses are recognised by the State Government and Fire Service College, England. A disaster management training institute opens shortly.