West Bengal Fire & Emergency Services plays an important role in the area of fire fighting and rescue of lives and saving properties worth hundreds of crores of Rupees in every year from the ravages of fire. 

Apart from fire fighting this department also undertakes rescue jobs and has saved hundreds of people from any types of disaster like house collapse,accidents,cyclones, floods, and other natural & man made disaster.

Besides above this department has statutory, regulatory and advisory functions also. Advisory functions relate to educating society & community on fire protection measures thereby helping them to implement the fire safety measures. The statutory function is to ensure that business houses, commercial & industrial establishments,Hospital and Nurshing Home Authorities ,Educational Institutions,Market Complexes and other establishments related to any high risk buildings should take necessary fire safety measures in conforming to the regulations prescribed under West Bengal Fire Service Act. and other relevant Acts and Rules.

Fire Prevention and Fire Protection is an elementary function of this department. Fire license and Fire Prevention Wing have been established in West Bengal Fire & Emergency Services to undertake the fire prevention and protection work. Fire License wing is responsible for issuing the license for running the business/trade/factories etc. with hazardous/combustible materials. Similarly fire prevention wing is responsible for issuing N.O.C. to high rise and high risk buildings including multiplex and commercial complexes, hospitals, nursing homes, hotels, guest houses and marriage hall/community hall etc.

This department has also a statutory role in inspection of various buildings, pendals/temporary structures as prescribed under West Bengal Fire Service Act.

Institute of Fire Service, Kolkata a fully modern training centre was built at Behala, Shilpara. This training centre has all latest training facilities with smoke chamber, drill tower and a building for simulation exercise. It can train more than 150 personnel at a time. Training facilities are available to the a) In service personnel

b) Fire Services personnel from other States,
c) Training program for the member of different Public Sector undertakings
d) Civil Defence volunteers
e) General public awareness