Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Saturday announced that in order to reduce the response time of the Delhi Fire Service in attending to calls, the number of fire stations would be increased from 50 at present to 70 in the 10th Five Year Plan. She added that work on eight sites has already begun and 12 more sites have been acquired for construction of fire stations.
Speaking at the passing out parade of the 63rd batch of fire operators at Fire Safety Management Academy in Rohini, the Chief Minister said a total of 1,242 vacancies of fire operators were being filled by the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board.
Ms. Dikshit said that due to coming up of high-rise buildings in narrow lanes of unplanned localities the demands on the fire-fighting process have increased.She also exhorted people to follow fire-safety guidelines and to remain careful while dealing with appliances.
Noting that the Delhi Fire Service has expanded its network after it came under the administrative control of the Home Department of Delhi Government, the Chief Minister commended the role of fire personnel who risk their own lives while undertaking fire fighting operations.
Stating that three Disaster Management Centres have been established at Laxmi Nagar, Rohini and Nehru Place Fire Stations to provide immediate response in case of natural or manmade disasters, Ms. Dikshit said they have been equipped with specialised equipments such as Hazmat vans and rescue responders. Also, these centres have been provided with modern hydraulically, pneumatically and electrically operated rescue tools as well as material to deal with chemical and other similar emergencies.
Director of Fire Services R.C. Sharma, who was also present at the event, said 320 trainees, who have completed their initial basic training in fire fighting would be inducted into the service during the day. During the course, these personnel were trained in squad drill, fire fighting drill, rescue methods and communication systems.
As for the working of the Department, he said in 2008-09 it attended 16,452 fires and other emergency calls and saved property worth nearly Rs.294.71 crore. While 380 persons lost their lives in these incidents, 2,225 people had sustained injuries in them.
