As the city is stretching out its boundaries with the coming of new industries in its suburbs, Fire and Rescue Services Department has decided to set up a new fire station at Kalamassery. The Home Department took the proposal into consideration last week.
According to an official of the Fire and Rescue Services, with the coming of a new station at Kalamassery fire-tendering in the nearby areas could be done in a short time.
The proposal was submitted before the higher officials in Thiruvananthapuram several months ago. “Currently fire-fighters from Thrikkakkara conduct rescue activities in Kalamassery area. They are supported by units from Aluva and other stations in the city.
It takes more than 20 minutes for the fire fighting unit from Thrikkakara to reach Kalamassery.
Once the new station comes into being, the rescue operation can be launched in a short time. There is a separate Fire and Rescue team for FACT and Naval Armament Depot operating in Kalamassery area. But in the case of normal fire accidents, these units could not be called for rescue operations,” an official said.
There are 13 Fire and Rescue stations in Ernakulam district. The construction of a new station at Pattimattam is underway.
The fire station at Kalamassery would be the 15th in the district. With this, the district would have the highest number of fire stations in the state.
The Home Department has been urged to set up a full-fledged station having a minimum of three fire-tendering vehicles.
“Since Kalamassery is turning out to be the largest industrial hub of Kochi, we require a full-fledged station here. Besides, we require additional hands for the station. We are already facing severe shortage of manpower. So newly recruited men from Fire Academy, Thrissur and some experienced officers from other stations would be transferred to man the operation of the new station,” official said.