Traffic snarls impede fire fighters
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 15 2012: The ev er increasing volume of traffic is said to be severely crippling movements of Manipur Fire Service personnel and machinery to incident spots often resulting in the loss of properties and human life, on some occasion.

According to Fire Services officials, fire fighters managed to prevent loss of properties worth about Rs 9,08,77,451 in 2011 compared to infernos devastating Rs 5,82,72,329 in the same period.

Describing demises of 17-year old Kh sumila Devi and her 14-year old sister Kh Daina of Khurai Thoudam Leikai when a fire broke out (from petrol) on May 22, 2010 as one of the saddest experiences, the officials confided to The Sangai Express that with a better traffic system and spacious roads most of the incidents could be prevented before collateral damages.

citing the now-familiar congested roads as the most challenging task for the fire-fighters, they also informed that in between April 1, 2011 and February 29 of the ongoing year a total of 317 inferno-related incidents have been reported at places covered by Fire stations of Imphal, Thoubal, Mayang Imphal, Bishnupur, Jiribam, Ukhrul, Moirang, Kangpokpi, Kakching, Chandel, Sugnu, churachandpur, Singnat, Senapati, Tamenglong and Moreh.

Traffic jam in the heart of Imphal city-File pic

Inspite of the Imphal fire Station equipped with fire fighting machinery (vehicles) with water storage capacity of 2000 to 12,000 litres on many occasion infernos could not be effectively doused due to shortage of water which could have been prevented in case water sources such as community ponds not filled up for construction and other uses, they pointed out.

Confiding that Manipur has a total of 87 fire tenders (vehicles), both light and heavy vehicles, out of which some fire stations have three vehicles and some maximum of seven, the officials also stressed on increasing the number of fire tenders to effectively tackle major infernos.

Citing unauthorised sale of fuel (diesel/petrol) and cooking gas (LPG) as most vulnerable sources of major inferno, they regretted that inspite of Acts that prohibits such illegal trade the same continue to flourish in Manipur due to ineffective implementation of the legislation.

They also proposed that the State Government enact a law under which multi-storeyed buildings should mandatorily install fire-fighting equipment within the building.

Besides their role in preventing and fighting outbreaks of fire in habitat areas, fire fighters have been able to rescue nine individuals from either drowning or falling from buildings/trees etc, said the officials who also informed that newly recruited 58 personnel are currently undergoing training.

Upon completion of training the total strength of Manipur Fire Service department will be 281 personnel, they added.