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National panel for fire, emergency service likely
Our Bureau
Hyderabad
,
Aug. 4
DO you know how far we are from a comfortable number of fire stations, firemen and fire-fighting and rescue vehicles?
Hold your breath! India falls short of 97.45 per cent of the prescribed number of fire stations and 96.28 per cent of firemen.
This is not all. The number of fire-fighting and rescue vehicles is too small to take care of the country's needs.
"There are only 1,745 fire stations in the country as against the 70,868 stations prescribed by the Standing Fire Advisory Council (SFAC)," Mr Vijay Shanker, Director-General of National Emergency Response Force and Civil Defence, said.
Addressing the inaugural of 31st SFAC meeting here on Thursday, he said the fire stations, managed by municipalities and State Governments, were equipped with 5,149 fire appliances and vehicles manned by 50,713 fire professionals. Besides, there were 278 fire stations in industrial areas to exclusively ensure fire safety of the industries concerned.
Though better off when compared with rural areas, urban areas too were deficient in these aspects. "They suffer from a shortfall of 72.75 per cent in fire stations, 78.79 per cent in man power and 22.43 per cent in fire fighting and rescue vehicles," he said.
The council, mooted by the Union Home Ministry, would discuss the National Commission for Fire and Emergency Service and inclusion of fire service in the Concurrent List of the Constitution.
It would also deliberate on uniform fire services act and rules and uniform building code and rules.
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