Panaji, Dec 11 (IANS) Women will rub shoulders with men in fire fighting operations in Goa from the next financial year, an official said here Saturday.

Learning fire fighting protocol and training in fighting fire related emergencies may also be made mandatory for workers employed in industrial areas in Goa.

Speaking to reporters in Panaji, Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivastava said women would be inducted into the Goa Fire and Emergency Services (GFES) by April 2011.

"We are just amending the recruitments and rule to allow women into the fire services department fold," Srivastava said, adding that all the 13 fire stations in the state would have female personnel soon.

Home Minister Ravi Naik also said that fire fighting training might be made compulsory for workers employed in industrial areas.

"This will help in emergency situation. They can take basic measures to fight fire before our equipment and personnel arrive to do their job," Naik said.

"Fire fighting becomes easier if the blaze is controlled at the initial stage. The staff can start the rescue and dousing of fire before the fire and emergency vehicles arrive," the home minister said.