Mayor gives in to firemen’s demands

After the firemen threatened to go on strike, refusing to work as lifeguards, the civic administration has given in to most of their demands.

After the firemen threatened to go on strike, refusing to work as lifeguards, the civic administration has given in to most of their demands.

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In a meeting with Mayor Shraddha Jadhav, the members of the firemen union put their demands, which were agreed upon by the mayor.

The firemen had refused to work as lifeguards and help in fogging activities undertaken by the civic heath department. They also complained about their old uniforms and protection equipment. They added that they have to douse fire set by rag pickers at dumping grounds.

“From now, dousing fire set by the rag pickers in dumping grounds, will be done by the solid waste management department and not the fire brigade,” said Jadhav.

Jadhav added that their uniforms will be given out by August 15.

‘The firemen are doing multiple jobs. They are attending close to 50 calls every day and are not treated properly,” said Sharad Rao, president of the union.

According to the data available with the fire brigade, there are about 1,500 firemen in the department.

Jadhav has directed the administration to not use the firemen as lifeguards every day, but only during high tide dates, and that the administration should only use fire equipment for fogging activities.