'Fire Service safeguards life and property of public'
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, July 18 2016:
The Fire Service Department has been successful in fighting fire break-outs throughout the State and in the process save precious lives and properties worth crores of rupees, stated Kh Chandramani, (IPS), Director of Fire Service in a press conference as part of the series organized by DIPR to highlight the development activities of government department at its Moirangkhom office complex.
Highlighting the activities of the Department, Chandramani informed media persons that Manipur Fire Service handled 248 Fire and Special Service calls of different magnitude in the State during the year 2015-16.Out of which 85 calls are major, 18 are medium, 127 are small one is false call, seven reinforcement calls and 10 are special service calls.
The Fire Service personnel were successful in saving seven lives from fire and other incidents while eight human lives were lost in other incidents like drowning etc.
Property worth Rs 22,83,28,611 was lost whereas Rs 63,75,09,299 could be saved from the clutch of fire.
The incidents involved were of residential buildings, shops, commercial establishment, educational institutions, offices, tea stalls, vehicles, unauthorized oil, LPG stores and forest fire etc.
Govt of Manipur has recently sanctioned the opening of six new Fire Sub-Stations at Yairipok, Wangjing, Tadubi, Saikul, Noney, Nambol, and also creation of 126 posts in different rank and files of the Sub-Stations including Fire Sub-Station, Singngat.
Besides fighting outbreak of fires across the State from various reasons, the Department also conducts awareness campaigns and mock drill to sensitize the public on the necessary steps and precautions needed to prevent fire.
Also keeping in mind the rapid industrialization/urbanization as well as the danger of earth quake in the light of the State being located in seismic zone V-category, officers of the department delivered lecture-cum- demonstration on disaster management, fire precautionary measures as well as imparting training on handling, use, care and maintenance of First Aid Fire Fighting Equipment.
Such activities have been carried out in Govt offices, schools, colleges, private undertakings and other voluntary organizations in the State.
Listing the various problems and difficulties faced by the Department, the Director mentioned shortage of manpower and lack of fund as major hurdles.
Out of a total sanctioned post of 407, the Department at present has only 239 personnel reducing many sub-stations to function without adequate staff.
Another stumbling block in effective functioning of the Department is lack of state-of-the art fire-fighting equipment.
On the actual impediments on the ground when faced with fighting a fire break-out, the Director said traffic congestion in Imphal city area prevents the fire engines from reaching the spot promptly.
Another problem faced by the personnel is the lack of water source at spot where fire has broken out.
The fire engines, he pointed out can carry only a limited amount of water.
But despite these handicaps, Director Chandramani pointed out that fire personnel perform their duty diligently, risking their limbs and lives at times.
He also appealed to the public to follow fire safety norms in their homes, business establishments, schools, colleges and offices.