THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Fire Brigade in the city will soon add modern mini water mist tenders to its fleet. The tenders fixed on Tata Xenon chassis will help the brigade to give fast response to emergencies.
About fifteen of the newly purchased 35 mini tenders will be allotted to fire stations in the capital. The district has 14 fire stations.
According to Fire and Rescue Services Thiruvananthapuram Divisional Officer M Noushad, the highlight of mini water mist tender is its compact size that enables travel through narrow roads.
“Narrow roads are a big challenge for the force during emergencies in several busy areas like the Chalai market. Many of the spots are inaccessible by big tenders,” he said.
Water mist, the fire fighting system on the new tender, uses fine water sprays to douse fires. Fine sprays will help control the fire by cooling the fire and surroundings by evaporation.
“Controlled spraying is important while dealing with substances which will be damaged in water contact. So far, we did not have a system that can precisely penetrate into the seat of fire,” Noushad said.
Another feature of the new tender is an e-traulics which will help in rescuing people trapped in buildings or elevators. This facility helps to pull open stalled elevators.
The tender has a capacity of 3,000 litre and the hose can spray water in varies pressures. The vehicle is fitted with GPS camera.
The new vehicle will also help fire fighting operations in and around the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, the official said. The ancient temple complex and surroundings are dotted with several narrow roads.
The Fire Services had a tough time in dousing the fire at a godown of the Postal Department situated near the temple in February this year.
Fire Service has also purchased 25 ordinary mini water tenders. These will be distributed among different stations in the state. Preference will be given to newly opened stations and those receiving huge number of fire calls.
In Thiruvananthapuram busiest stations, on the basis of fire calls received, are the Chengalchoola fire station, Chackai fire station, Attingal fire station and Venjarammodu station.
Features of the tender
Mini water mist tender is compact in size. This will enable it to enter narrow spaces
Water mist, the fire fighting system on the new tender, uses fine water sprays to douse fires
Fine sprays will help control the fire by cooling the fire and surroundings by evaporation
The new tender has an e-traulic which will help in rescuing people trapped in buildings or elevators
This facility helps to pull open stalled elevators
The tender has a capacity of 3,000 litre and the hose can spray water in varies pressures
The vehicle is fitted with GPS camera