The Regional Fire Office on Saturday commissioned its newly allotted modern fire tenders and rescue vehicles for the use of various fire stations in Kozhikode city. Minister for Excise and Labour T.P. Ramakrishnan flagged off the vehicles, which included a water bowser, a foam tender, a multi-purpose emergency rescue vehicle and a quick response vehicle.
Officials said the four modern tenders were sanctioned by the government as part of attempts to modernise the department and improve its services to meet the emerging challenges in the sector. The new tenders will be used in the limits of Kozhikode Beach, Vellimadukunnu, and Meenchanda fire stations.
A rescue official from Meenchanda station said the newly commissioned water bowser had a capacity of 12,000 litres and was the first such product for the Department in Kerala. He said the new tender would equip the squads to fight major fire outbreaks more effectively and without wasting time for frequent filling.
The foam tender was sanctioned for the city to improve its preparedness to fight fire caused by inflammable liquids. The vehicle carrying high expansion foams to prevent liquid spills from igniting was the first of such product for the rescue squads in Kozhikode district. Officials said such a modern tender was a long-pending demand of the rescue squads in northern Kerala.
The multi-purpose emergency rescue vehicle was sanctioned mainly to support the safe evacuation of people from accident spots. Officials said the vehicle was loaded with a number of emergency equipment suitable to work effectively during life-threatening situations. The quick response vehicle with its compact design and lightweight structure would be helpful for the rescue operators to quickly move along narrow roads and reach the accident spot, they explained.
Regional Fire Officer Arun Alphonse chaired the flagging off ceremony held on the premises of the Meenchanda fire station. District Fire Officer T. Rajeesh, Kerala Fire Service Association State president A. Shajil Kumar and Station Officers representing various city units were present.
