Ask them about modern equipment, and they have everything in hand, be it the hydraulic rescue tools, self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, chainsaw etc. But what about the numbers?
Well, it’s not just the absence of modern equipment, but their inadequacy that is standing in the way of the functioning of the Fire and Rescue Services.
Among the 11 fire stations in the district, only three in the city limits have modern equipment to make their operations speedier and effective. In reality, of the 36 fire stations in the state, only those at the district headquarters have modern equipment. To be most honest, not all the district headquarters are equipped with the modern gadgets.
“We have almost all the modern equipment with us. But only some of the fire stations are equipped with them,” said Sivanandan, Technical Director, Fire and Rescue Services.
It was last year that the Fire and Rescue Services bought equipment worth Rs 12 crore. But the huge purchase could do little to meet the demand and need of the fire stations. “Lack of funds is a major hurdle. Unless the government sanctions more funds, we are helpless,” said a top official of the department.
Apart from the lack of adequate number of equipment, staff shortage too hampers the functioning of the wing. “At a time, there should be 36 personnel at a fire station in all the categories for its smooth functioning. But only in a few stations does this situation exist,” said Sivanandan.
At present, only 50 per cent of the total 4,000 personnel required are in service. The Fire and Rescue reported 1,300 vacancies three years ago. After the test conducted by the Public Service Commission, 500 are undergoing training at the Police and Fire Force Academies in Thrissur. But that too is not a consoling factor as the training of one year has just completed two months.
“As the staff shortage is acute, many fire stations are depending on home guards, but that is not possible always,” sources said. With the recruitment to Fire and Rescue Services happening at a snail’s pace, those at the top have nothing to be optimistic about its functioning.
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