Fire Department seeks chopper for emergencies

BANGALORE: The State Fire and Emergency Department will soon send a proposal to the state government requesting for a helicopter, exclusively during times of major fire disasters. Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, the department’s Director General of Police, A R Infant said that the department was already equipped with modern technology. “ It is observed that a helicopter would be of a great assisstance to conduct operations during major fire accidents. Hence, the department has decided to write to the government shortly requesting it to sanction a helicopter,” he said.In the backdrop of the tragic fire accident at AMRI Hospital in Kolkata, the DGP said that fire safety was not only important in hospitals but also at any high-rise buildings. “It is important that all high rise buildings should get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the fire department. Unfortunately, this is not being followed strictly, resulting in huge disasters. Even other agencies should ensure that the constructor has obtained NOC from the fire department before issuing  NOC. Authorities should not issue occupancy certificate to the owner if he has not obtained NOC from fire department,” he explained.Meanwhile, he informed that 12 hospitals and medical colleges had approached the department for NOC and advisories. “Among the twelve, nine are from the city and the other three are from Dharwad, Mangalore and Bidar. Before issuing NOCs to these organisations, our officials inspected the spot,” he added.Admitting that the department was facing shortage of staff, the DGP said that though totally 6,748 staff was sanctioned only 3,913 staff was provided, leaving the remaining posts vacant. “As of now, 174 fire stations covering 147 taluks, hoblis and new extensions of the city are established. Further, 35 stations are in various stages of implementation,” he informed.“The department has also been entrusted with the statutory duty of re-inspection of all high-rise buildings once in two years by a government gazette notification dated July 7, 2011. An action plan is being drawn up for that,” the DGP said.