There is an urgent need to strengthen the fire department by increasing manpower and procuring more equipment to run it effectively. , photo credit: ss kumar
In line with the increase in population, expansion of the city and commercial activity, there is a growing demand for improving the manpower of the fire department in Puducherry and strengthening it by adding more fire fighting equipment.
Firefighters have been complaining of workload due to delay in filling vacancies and have been stressing on the need to buy additional fire fighting and safety equipment to deal with emergency situations. They say that even an important fire station near Beach Promenade is functioning without adequate manpower. Sources say that there was a shortage of 18 firemen, 3 lead firemen and 10 drivers at the station.
“Imagine the stress we are dealing with. The shortage comes at a time when our needs are high due to the expansion of commercial activities in the town. The increasing influx of tourists over the weekend has made our job even more difficult. Last year, we saw around a dozen drowning incidents at the beach in which our teams were deployed.”
This year, between January 1 and February 21, the station attended 23 disaster calls for firefighting and 16 rescue missions, which included removal of uprooted and damaged trees. Another firefighter said the lack of manpower was evident in rescuing people after a blaze at a building in Muthialpet last year. “We are struggling to rescue people with the available manpower,” he added.
Absence of fire stations at places like Thavalakuppam, Kariyampathoor and Katerikuppam also adds to the work pressure of the fire personnel. A fire service department official said the city’s stations – Sedrapet and Villianur – have to depend on these three places in case of an emergency.
“The government should take steps to recruit more staff and buy additional equipment. Rescue operations at sea have also changed our requirement and therefore the government should act according to our needs.
According to a senior official, the government has already taken steps to fill around 55 vacant posts of firemen. Similarly, the vacant posts of driver will also be filled. He said that steps are also being taken to add two more fire stations in Puducherry region.
Tenders have already been called for procuring 10 multi-purpose fire tenders, 5 mini fire tenders with water mist fire fighting systems and 3 water browsers, the official said, adding that these additional equipment will be needed to further strengthen the force. was required. He said, “The shortage of staff is correct as we have not filled many posts after 2012. This issue will be resolved very soon. It is also proposed to provide fire fighters with gadgets required for rescue missions at sea.