CHENNAI: With the onset of the Northeast monsoon around the corner, the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services (TNFRS) department is mobilising men and machinery for deployment at short notice to attend to emergencies and extraordinary situations in the State.
About 5,500 firemen across the State are on standby to handle any eventuality. “We have trained special squads, including divers and swimmers, in rescuing stranded people in case of floods or cyclones. Modern machineries have also been added to our logistics to be deployed during emergencies for effective rescue operations,” KP Maghendhran, Director of TNFRS, told Express on Thursday.
Firemen in 13 coastal districts in the State have been specially put on alert because they are the most vulnerable to natural calamities during Northeast monsoon. A contingent of about 5,500 firemen will be ready for service at short notice across the State while Chennai will have about 700 for deployment round-the-clock.
Troop carrier vehicles, as used by the army, will add strength to the logistics of TNFRS this time around. Having a capacity to accommodate 40-50 persons, these vehicles can wade through 4-5 feet deep water in inundated areas. A crew of six persons would operate these vehicles. Inflatable boats can be readied for ferrying people in dire straits as well.
According M Shahul Hameed, Joint Director, TNFRS, “We have three troop carrier vehicles. They are stationed at Chennai, Cuddalore and Tirunelveli. These vehicles with high ground clearance can move into flooded areas and easily evacuate stranded people to safe places without much hurdle.”
In Chennai, a troop carrier has been stationed in Ambattur, given the vulnerability of the surroundings during monsoon season.
Learning from cyclone Vardah that hit Chennai last year, have acquired more equipment to clear trees and cut through concrete in case of building collapses. As many as 114 electrically operated power saws and 41 portable petrol-driven power saws are part of their armoury now, besides 50 concrete cutters.
Maghendhran informed that firemen in interior districts would be available for deployment in coastal areas in case of extraordinary situations.
He stated that dedicated squads of swimmers and divers have also been formed to rescue stranded people in heavily flooded areas. A 15-member squad of specially trained swimmers/divers is stationed in Vellore.
