THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A storm is brewing in the Fire and Rescue Services Department. Express has learnt several firemen appointed in 1996 have not been promoted even though over 60 ‘Leading Fireman’ posts have been lying vacant for the past 10 months. There are also allegations of top officers indulging in favouritism and accepting bribes in promoting employees.
Although all government departments follow the special rules of the PSC advisory issued in 1983 for promotions, the Fire and Rescue Services Department seems to be oblivious of it. Adding to the confusion is the new set of rules put in place by the previous UDF Government.
Sources said the new regulations lacked clarity about filling vacancies by either promoting firemen with
seniority or choosing new recruits.
A fireman told Express they came to know through RTI only new recruits were eligible for promotion. “Some of the firemen, including myself, are fighting a case in the tribunal demanding justice,” he said.
“There are colleagues with 18 years of service who are still in the rank of ‘Fireman’. Though the department has reported around 60 vacancies, the authorities are showing apathy in filling them,” the officer said.
The positions fell vacant when several ‘Leading Firemen’ got promoted as Assistant Station Officers. Another fireman alleged top officers took bribes to reappoint and promote staff who had taken long leave to work in the Gulf.
DGP A Hemachandran, director general of Fire and Rescue Services, told Express the vacancies would soon be filled and the concerns raised by the staff were based purely on their self-interest.
“So far, there is no confusion or delay in transfers and promotions,” he said. “It’s on the right track. The outcry of staff is nothing but a ploy to be transferred to the districts they hail from. In fact, a major chunk of fire personnel does not want to get promoted as they fear being transferred. This can also be an attempt to urge the government in shuffling the personnel to get postings in their hometowns.”
Hemachandran said the promotion of Assistant Station Officers has been implemented and the ‘Leading Fireman’ vacancies would be filled next. He also refuted allegations of favouritism.
Fire and Rescue Services hierarchy
Station Officer
Assistant Station Officer
Leading Fireman
Fireman