Delhi: Firefighters undergo training to deal with mishaps this Diwali

Last year, 290 fire calls were received during Diwali and in 2014, 220 fire cases were reported. The

As the city prepares for Diwali with firecrackers, diyas and lamps, the Delhi Fire Services is preparing its teams to efficiently manage the number of fire calls on Diwali day.

Through this training, firefighters are being taught to use various fire fighting techniques for different types of fires. (Mujeeb Faruqui/HT File)

“Diwali is the most hectic day for us. Every year, the number of fire calls being reported is increasing. The training is being conducted to ensure that the calls are attended in minimum time,” said GC Mishra, director, Delhi Fire Services.

Last year, 290 fire calls were received during Diwali and in 2014, 220 fire cases were reported. The department operates with a strength of a little over 3,000 personnel. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report had also highlighted the lack of ample fire tenders and stations.

Though regular mock drills are a routine in most fire stations across the city, the special sessions will focus on issues such as assessing the nature of fire calls, resource management, coordination among fire stations, and neighbourhood monitoring for prevention of possible accidents, which usually delay fire rescue.

Fire officials said that on Diwali resource management is the key for efficiency. Through this training, firefighters are being taught to use different fire fighting techniques for different types of fires.

“For example, water cannons do not work for blaze caused by electric short-circuits, we have to use foam sprays for controlling these. Our teams are trained to handle all types of fires, but during high pressure situations such lessons need to be revisited,” a senior fire official said.

Manoj Kumar, a fireman from the Bhikaji Cama Place who attended the sessions, said that such trainings help the lower rung officials to know about the different aspects of rescue operations.

“When the number of calls is more, there are chances that your supervisor will not be able to guide you all the time. There is a high chance that they are busy with more serious cases. It is then that you have to gear up and take charge and that can only happen when you have the knowledge and skills to do so,” Kumar said.

He said that training also focuses on reducing the response time for calls. The average response time for fire tenders is supposed to be three minutes but on Diwali because of the increase in the number of calls, the response time is anywhere between 8 and 10 minutes.