The recent fire accident at a Villivakkam apartment complex has been an eye-opener for residents of multi-storeyed buildings in the city. Many residential associations are now approaching the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services (TNFRS) for training their members and security guards in fire safety.
The TNFRS has been so far conducting fire safety drills in educational institutions and commercial establishments. But, with the mushrooming of multi-storeyed apartment complexes in the city, they have also started training those living in residential colonies and buildings.
One such colony, whose members received training from TNFRS personnel, is the ONGC staff quarters in Anna Nagar. C. K. Balakumaran, a resident of the colony, said many women and children above 14 years in the colony now know how to operate a fire hose.
Senior TNFRS officers said the residents are trained mainly in housekeeping, using fire extinguishers and evacuation procedures.
“We also train them on what to do before the fire fighters arrive,” said K. Rajesh Kannan, assistant district fire officer, Chennai Central.
Meanwhile, TNFRS personnel themselves are getting trained in newer rescue methods.
“A retired CISF instructor trained our men in various rescue methods using the rope and ladder. We are planning to request the Indian army and navy to train us too,” said a senior TNFRS officer.
The firemen are now trained in rescue operations, including on how to crawl on a rope between two buildings, walking down highrise buildings using a rope and carrying victims without equipment.