Chief Fire Officer V V Rao said the Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India (ICICI) has already donated Rs 12 lakh towards the first mobile van, which will be commissioned within the nine months. ``These vans will visit different places to educate the public in fire safety through films and audio cassettes'', he added.

The seminar on `Fire Safety in High Rise Buildings' organised by the department was well attended by nearly 250 persons, including residents of south Mumbai buildings, he added. Fire fighting equipment in most high rises were not in a proper working condition. Both the fire brigade as well as the citizens themselves are responsible in the event of such a fire, he added.

The fire department has also brought out a booklet on fire precautions , to be circulated in the city during inspections, he said. Over 1,400 high rises have beenidentified by a special cell. Rao also said a legislation titled Maharashtra Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Bills is pending. Under this, the department will undertake compulsory inspections and will have powers to enforce security measures.