Now, when the time has come for these fire service volunteers' induction into the AMC, they have been asked to fulfill such stringent conditions that most of them are finding themselves unfit for the task.

The trade test for induction is as follows: Physically, they should be of minimum 165 cm in height and weigh between 50 and 80 kg. Their chest should be at least 76 cm without five mm expansion. The necessary criteria for trade test is that they must be able to run 800-metre distance in 120 seconds, perform long jump of 4 metres in maximum three trials, and high jump of 1.22 metres in as many trials.

Besides, they should also be able to swim 200 metres in eight minutes. To achieve physical ability to accomplish all this, the volunteers have been given time till June 15.

It has been made clear in an official circular that only after passing these tests, shall the candidates be considered eligible to fill the post of fireman and be taken permanently in the service. However, this has sent a wave of resentment and disappointment among the volunteers. Their objection is particularly directed towards the condition of completing 800 metres in 120 seconds.

They say this was too harsh a test and more stringent than what it is in other uniformed services. According to them, the 120-second limit should be extended to at least 180 seconds, in view of the fact that they are already there for four years and it is only after passing necessary tests that they have reached this stage.

An official in the AFES said that if one can run 800 metres in 120 seconds, then the person is surely a world class athlete and should be treated accordingly. “Before going ahead with such criteria, benchmarks of trade test and fitness in other uniformed services could have been referred to,” said the sources in AFES. “Secondly, if a candidate is age-barred during this period and still passes the trade test, then will they induct him?” the volunteers ask.

At present, fire service volunteers do not have continuous service and are supposed to work after a gap of 15 days. Hence, they are not in a position to claim right over the job. “Still having sympathetic view, they are being given a chance to prove themselves,” sources in the AMC said.

There is other side of the coin too. Not all the volunteers are badly in need of a job but they want to do it as a status symbol.

A senior official said there are volunteers who come to duty on four-wheelers and they earn in thousands through farming. “To eliminate such persons, the AMC may have devised a rather stringent criterion,” an AFES official said.

Additional chief fire officer MF Dastoor said the higher benchmark was necessary to induct deserving talent.