THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Fire and Rescue services department was quick to conduct an audit immediately after the fire that broke out in a building at East Fort recently. But the decision to set in place a ‘high-end fire accident mechanism’ for narrow and crowded stretches is yet to take off.
The department had proposed the project earlier this year when the present State Police Chief Loknath Behera was the Director General of Fire and Rescue Services. He had put forth this proposal following a series of fire outbreaks in markets and crowded roads in the city, especially at Chalai market.
The grandiose plan
In the proposal, the department had mooted acquisition of latest fire tenders which could combat any type of fire, especially in market areas and narrow roads. A fire system integrated with hi-tech technology for speedy response to such incidents was to be set in place. However, the big plans remain on paper even after eight months.
To bring the recent fire under control the department had to borrow the modern Austrian-made ‘Rosenbauer Panther’ from Airport Authority of India.
The problems
The force had been formed in 1962 when it was separated from the Police Force under the Kerala Fire Force Act of 1962, But no rules have been formulated to govern the force under the Act even after decades.
The department still has age-old vehicles, those which don’t have power steering. Most of the fire engines are of the standard size which was relevant decades ago. They are not topographically compatible. Due to their huge size it becomes impossible for them to reach accident spots which are located in the narrow streets. And the equipment installed in them are obsolete. The government is yet to upgrade the beleaguered Fire Force.
The standard response time to reach the spot is three to five minutes in urban areas and 20 minutes in rural areas. However, the fire units in the city never make it on time.
“Several equipment which are being used for fire fighting are rusty and damaged,” said a fire department official under condition of anonymity.
“Many devices are of poor quality. Moreover, the department had done little to come up with plans to combat fire outbreaks at busy streets and dingy roads. For instance, if a fire erupted in Chalai market, we will have to climb on the adjacent buildings since it is impossible for the fire engines move through the narrow roads. Another challenge is the electric lines. Recently while trying to bring a fire outbreak in Chalai market a fireman got injured due to the faulty outdated equipment. The shops inside the streets do not adhere to safety measures,” an officer said.
The century old Chalai market houses around 5,000 shops and 3,000 residences. Many of the shops don’t have foolproof safety measures in place. Several cracker shops and godowns in the market are ticking bombs.
‘High density area should be our prime focus’
A Hemachandran, Director General of Fire and Rescue Services, said that high density areas should be their prime focus points for the time being since they are more vulnerable to fire. A high level meeting has been scheduled for Thursday. At the meeting measures to encounter possible fire outbreaks in the buildings situated in narrow streets will be worked upon.
“Efforts are on to bring changes in the department. Of course, there is room for improvement and scope for modernisation. But it will take time since we have to get
government’s approval. However, major changes are in the offing in the department,” Hemachandran said.
Hands tied
He also pointed out that the department can only inform the authorities concerned to ensure that the buildings are following fire and safety rules. He added that the department can’t enforce the rules.
“All these things will be discussed in the meeting. We will also extend the process of conducting safety audit to rest of the state especially high density areas such as East Fort, Chalai market, Broadway in Kochi, S M street in Kozhikode etc,” Hemachandran added.
The shortcomings
* Lack of unified fire services
* Lack of proper organisational structure, training and career progression of itspersonnel
* No modern equipment. They have not been standardised
* No adequate funding
* Lack of training institutions
* Lack of infrastructural facilities - fire stations and accommodation of personnel
* No vulnerability analysis
* No public awareness (Dos and Don’ts), conduct of regular mock exercises and evacuation drills
* No uniform fire safety legislation