Kochi: The annual fire incidents in the Ernakulam region yet again showed a rise with the Fire and Rescue Services getting a total of 2027 confirmed ‘firecalls’ in 2016 as against 1658 in 2015. However, the long pending demand of the division for sophisticated fire-fighting equipment is yet to become a reality. Though Kerala Fire Force started the process of acquiring Bronto Skylift, regarded as one of the most advanced fire-fighting vehicles, nearly two years ago, the same has reached nowhere till now.
“There were 2027 Fire calls and 2574 incident calls (total 4601) in 2016 as against 1658 Fire calls and 2730 incidents calls a year before. The increase in fire incidents is being witnessed in the last several years. The high-rise buildings in the city have now more than doubled in the last couple of years. There is an urgent need to acquire a fire-fighting vehicle that could reach heights of more than 50 metres,” said a senior Fire official.
A high-level technical committee meet had even awarded the tender but the same was entangled in legal issues. Now the department is also finding a fund shortage to acquire the equipment estimated to cost a minimum Rs four crore. “Most of the states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka already have the facility,” the officer said. Meanwhile, scuba gears in most of the stations have turned non-functional due to lack of maintenance. At present only two functional scuba diving kits are available with the department to cover the entire district at Thodupuzha station. The Ernakulam region consists of a total 26 fire stations.
