Fire force struggles with outdated equipment and vehicle shortages amid rising high-rise fires

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The fire force is constrained by the limitations of modern equipment. In the face of any major disaster, the fire brigade is faced with antiquated equipment and vehicles. Everything including fire safety coat, helmet, gumboots, gloves, breathing apparatus are years old.

Flats and malls are as tall as the sky. If there is a fire or any emergency, it will be a challenge for the fire force. 1200 fire break outs were reported across the state last summer.

There are buildings up to 37 stories high in the state. But the fire force has only the type of system that is used in case of fire in buildings of three to five floors. New types of pressure pumps are required for rescue operations in such places.

Efforts to purchase sky lifts to help extinguish fires in high-rise buildings didn't work as expected. 15 crores per device. With this, the rescue operation at a height of up to 60 meters will be much easier.

Lack of sufficient vehicles for the force is also a challenge. It is estimated that the force has a total of 700 vehicles. But 171 vehicles that completed fifteen years were ordered to be scrapped this year. The force has not received any new vehicles in the last two years. As 171 more scrapped vehicles leave the force, shortage of vehicles will also pose a challenge to the services of the force. In many places, vehicles are overdue for up to six months of fuel.