Cash in hand, minister chalks out plan for fire safety

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Express news service

Posted online: Thursday , April 10, 2008 at 01:44:37
Updated: Thursday , April 10, 2008 at 01:44:37

Kolkata, April 9 The state fire and emergency services minister, Pratim Chatterjee admitted on Wednesday that lapses in rescue operations are due to the lack of modern equipments in the department.

Addressing a press conference ahead of the fire safety week beginning on April 14, he said that during the recent bus accident at Kestopur, the department could arrange for divers only after several phone calls.

“We have no divers in our department. Though people kept blaming us, there was not much we could do. Even the crane that was sent was so old and outdated that its rope snapped during the rescue operations. We did not have even special underwater cameras that could help detect survivors,” Chatterjee said.

Noting an immediate need to upgrade the fire services department, the minister has chalked out a detailed list of required equipments. The project is estimated to cost Rs 45 crore. “I have made a plan to procure various equipment that will help us during accidents,” said Chatterjee.

The equipment includes 12 water dowsers for Rs 8 crore, two rescue tenders for Rs 3 crore, 204 fire entry suits for Rs 6 crore and one sky lift for Rs 13 crore.

The Fire Services Department had got Rs 12.5 crore from the state government and Rs 10 crore from the Centre’s calamity fund, he said, adding that he would be sending requisitions to the Central government to arrange for the rest of the cost. The firemen do not have fire entry suits and usually fight the blaze in their uniforms.

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