L-G takes stock of city’s firefighting dept

DFS highlights efforts at modernisation

Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal reviewed the preparedness and future plans of the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) at the Raj Niwas on Friday. The meeting was attended by Home Minister Satyendar Jain.

DFS director Dr. G.C. Misra briefed Mr. Baijal about the organisational set-up, operational areas, budget, fire prevention activities and training academy. The focus was on the modernisation efforts undertaken by the DFS. “The L-G was also apprised about areas of concern like increasing population density, heavy traffic, sub-standard construction, increasing fire load density and lack of adequate resources,” said a senior Raj Niwas official.

According to the official, the L-G took note of the huge number of vacancies, particularly in the Operations and Communications staff, and has asked the department to fill these on priority.

“Further, the L-G also directed the DFS to evolve an SOP for effective coordination with the Delhi Disaster Management Authority

and the Delhi Police, clearly delineating the responsibilities of each in case of a fire,” the official added.

“The L-G also stressed on the need for an annual schedule of all procurements well before time, besides ramping up upgradation and efforts at modernisation like computer-aided dispatch, GPS monitoring of fire tenders, procurement of latest protective gear and equipment such as robotic water towers,” the official said.

According to the Raj Niwas, the L-G also urged the department to play a proactive role in recommending amendments to building by-laws.

In a statement that was issued, the L-G also instructed that regular drills be conducted to beef up preparedness and response levels so that delays are reduced to a minimum and there is optimum coordination between all agencies concerned and the community. “The focus must be on making Delhi Fire Service one of the best in the world by studying and replicating the best practices implemented in other metropolitan cities with suitable modifications,” the official added.

CCTVs in fire tenders

The Delhi government, meanwhile, has decided to install CCTV cameras in fire tenders to identify motorists obstructing their movement while responding to emergency calls. Fire tenders will also be equipped with GPS devices to monitor their movement.