Modernization of fire services

The Ministry of Home Affairs launch of the Scheme for Expansion and Modernization of Fire Services in the States is a significant step towards strengthening fire fighting measures and saving lives and properties in the country. More emphasis on strengthening fire safety measures in industrial establishments, multi-apartment residential buildings, public transport, and hospitals can help bridge the shortage of firefighting personnel and fire stations. The objective of the scheme is to expand and modernise Fire Services in the States with a view to strengthening fire services at the state level. The massive fire that broke out after a blowout and explosion in an oil well at Baghjan in Assam in 2020, lasting for five months and requiring the requisition of the assistance of global fire extinguishing companies, and which also caused an ecological disaster, brought to the fore the magnitude of fire risks in the state. With the expansion of oil, gas, and coal exploration and extraction, an increase in retail distribution points, and an increase in the number of tankers and trucks transporting such highly inflammable substances along highways and through cities and towns, the risk of fire hazards has increased. The recent increase in the number of incidents involving running vehicles, including public transport, is mounting pressure on the fire service organisations. This calls for undertaking a comprehensive review of the existing fire service measures and drawing a roadmap for modernization so that the available funds are optimally utilised to remove some of the gaps. The National Report on Fire Hazard and Risk Analysis, Infrastructure and Institutional Assessment, and Key Recommendations published by the Directorate General National Disaster Response Force and Fire Response (Civil Defence) pointed out in 2012 that the fundamental problem in the country is that growth in fire services takes place on an ad hoc basis without much scientific analysis of the risks in different parts. The report of the study on fire risk and Hazard Analysis carried out by RMSI, a disaster risk management firm, stated that India had 2987 fire stations spread in states and Union Territories against the requirement of 8606 fire stations, i.e., a deficiency of about 65%. The situation has not improved much in the past more than a decade, and it has less than 3,500 fire stations, which means a deficiency of 60% that the estimates worked out in 2012, and a fresh study is likely to reveal that the gap has widened due to growth in the economy and population increase. The study projected the requirement of an estimated Rs 3.12 lakh crore investment spread over a period of 10 years for revamping fire services after removing gaps in fire stations in urban as well as rural areas. This study also found an overall gap of 83% in firefighting and rescue vehicles, about 94% in specialised equipment for both operational and new fire stations in urban and rural areas, and an overall gap of 92% in fire personnel considering double shift duty patterns. States referring to the study findings and comparing the estimates with actual available strength on the ground will be critical to deciding the list of priorities under the modernization scheme. States generating and earmarking more funds in their annual budgets is crucial to filling the gaps in an expeditious manner. A key recommendation made in the final report of the study was that there is an urgent need for a dedicated and well-coordinated State/UT Fire Prevention Wing for inspection, awareness generation, and training in schools, colleges, hospitals, shopping malls, cinema halls, high-rise buildings, industries, government offices, public buildings, etc., which needs further strengthening so that the recurrence of the fire incidences in terms of their magnitude and frequency can be reduced. Frequency of training can help build awareness among the general public to take prevention measures. Authorities of government offices, educational institutions, and hospitals need to undertake routine inspections of all electrical wiring and other likely potential sources of fire incidents. All public offices and institutions that have an oversight mechanism to ascertain if the inspection has been carried out with all sincerity and address immediate requirements to prevent a fire hazard will ensure that nothing has been left to chance. Education institutions, in collaboration with Fire and Emergency Service organisations, conducting short certificate programmes among students and teachers in basic fire safety awareness can go a long way in spreading awareness. Issuing certificates can help motivate the holders to render their voluntary services by conducting awareness and training camps in residential areas and market places and making people understand the importance of mitigating fire risk. If incidents of small fires can be prevented, available fire tenders and equipment can be optimally utilised in effectively rendering services in the event of an outbreak of a major fire, thus preventing death and minimising property loss. Prevention is better than cure and must remain the key policy even after the modernization of fire services.