KOCHI: The fire fighting mock drill which took place at the Ernakulam District Jail on Tuesday resembled a scene in Mamootty's hit movie Fireman.
The intend of the mock drill was to make officials and inmates aware about the fire fighting techniques in case any fire hazards take place inside the jail.
K Anil Kumar, superintendent, Ernakulam District Jail, said that the mock drill was led by the officials of the fire station at Thrikakkara. " Even though fire extinguishers are installed inside the jail, no jail officials know how to use them. Nor do they know how to douse the fire and start preliminary rescue operations before the fire force arrives,"he said.
The mock drill which started in the morning continued till the afternoon. Awareness classes by Fire and Rescue Department were held in the morning which saw the participation of officials and inmates. The officials were taught about how to use fire extinguishers, in case of accidents like LPG cylinder leak and explosion at the kitchen.
Later, a mock drill was held where fire was created by burning waste papers at the compound of the jail. The jail officials were shown how to carry out preliminary fire extinguishing operations. Later, the fire extinguishing vehicle from Thrikakkara was called to the jail for demonstrating the various fire fighting methods using the vehicle. O J Thomas, Welfare Officer said that the class would also be helpful for the inmates in case they meet up with any fire accidents even after they are released from jail.
Taking lessons from the mock drill, jail authorities have decided to renew all fire extinguishers which have been installed inside the jail. " We have around eight fire extinguishers here. The extinguishers have to be renewed annually. Unaware about the importance, several of them were not renewed. The expired extinguishers will be renewed soon," K Anil Kumar said.