₹4.9-cr modern tools to help fire brigade save time during ops

A FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL SAID THE EXISTING TOOLS ARE OUTDATED AND HAVE BECOME INCONVENIENT TO CARRY OUT RESCUE OPERATIONS

Mumbai:learning its lessons from the tragic fire at Parel’s Crystal Tower, which killed four people, the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) is set to purchase upgraded fire equipment to carry out rescue operations during fires. The fire department said the new equipment, which will cost ₹4.9 crore in total, will save more than 50% of their time during rescue operations.

A senior fire official said, “Saving even five minutes during rescue operations makes a huge difference in controlling damage. These new tools are lightweight, portable and have a faster mechanism. The existing tools take nearly 15 minutes for us to break in into any apartment to rescue people.”

The new equipment will include door breaker, cutter, electro-hydraulic power backup and battery operated ‘combitools’. The proposal to procure these tools will be tabled at the standing committee, which is scheduled to meet on Wednesday. The MFB has not upgraded these tools for 19 years. Prabhat Rahangdale, chief fire officer, said, “We are upgrading our systems to the latest technology to ensure quick response to disasters. We always advise residents to avoid using box grills in order to escape quickly during fires.” The MFB is going through a major upgradation of its technologies by introducing integrated command and control system and a digital mobile radio system that will replace its analogue communication system.