The Directorate General of Fire Services, Home Guards and Civil Defence is responsible for framing policy, coordinating, supervising and issuing guidelines concerning raising, training, equipping and functioning of Fire Services, Home Guards and Civil Defence on behalf of Government of Odisha.

The Odisha Fire Service is one of the oldest such organisations in the country that started functioning with effect from 1st March, 1942. With about 341 fire stations covering each block and urban centres in the State, it has one of the most favourable population per fire station ratio in the country. It has earned a unique place among its peers with the dual mandate of conventional fire-fighting and disaster response. Originally being part of police organisation, the Odisha Fire Service with increasing duties and responsibilities functioned as an independent entity for long till it got statutorily separated from the police organisation with the legislation of Odisha Fire Service Act in the 1993.

The Home Guards organization in Odisha came into being in the year 1961. Since then, Home Guard volunteers have been rendering valuable services to the society in co-operation with the police for maintenance of internal security, law & order, prevention of crime, apprehension of criminals, traffic regulation, VIP security, night patrolling and watch and ward duties etc. They also render voluntary service during natural calamities like floods and cyclones etc., Govt. of Odisha in Home (CD) Deptt. Resolution No. 1876/CD, dtd.09.11.2001 have declared Home Guards as auxiliary of the Fire Service u/s 6 of Odisha Fire Service Act – 1993.

Civil Defence Organisation has been functioning in Odisha during second World War periods. However, Civil Defence got the formal legal status with the enactment of Civil Defence Act, 1968, which came into force throughout the country with effect from 10th July, 1968. It functions in close collaboration with State Fire Service since both the Organisations are working under a unified command and control. Director General Fire Service & Commandant General, Home Guards has been co-ordinating activities of District Magistrates & Controllers of Civil Defence of all districts as the Director of Civil Defence vide GO No.187/CD Dt.02.01.2018.