Editor Mr.Mayank Rawat ( Chief Editor Mr. Rohit Mishra )
New Delhi: With summer approaching and temperatures rising by the day, Delhi Fire Service is gearing up to tackle the inevitability of fires in the city. DFS, accordingly, plans to augment its firefighting capabilities by onboarding Home Guard personnel, deploying additional water bowsers and inducting multi-articulated water towers to combat infernos in high-rise buildings.
The fire service intends to approach Delhi govt and request at least 100 Home Guard personnel to be trained for assistance in firefighting operations. “We will ensure they receive proper training. This will help us when dealing with blazes,” a fire officer said.
According to the officer, a significant surge in fire incidents last year left the firefighting force overstretched. In 2024, DFS, with its strength of 2,900 personnel, responded to 20,795 fires, a 37% increase from the previous year. “We receive an average of 57 calls daily, and considering the severity of last year’s situation, we need to enlist Home guards to boost our firefighting efforts,” the officer explained.
DFS has also procured 17 water bowsers, each with a capacity of 10,000 litres. These will be critical during firefighting operations, providing a reliable and sustained supply of water to combat blazes, particularly in areas where access to hydrants is limited.
The officer revealed that the fire service will also induct four multi-articulated water towers, designed to tackle high-rise building fires with precision and ease. These innovative machines boast an impressive range of motion, effortlessly navigating narrow lanes in a zig-zag manner reminiscent of a snake and rotating a full 360 degrees to fight fires from multiple angles. The officer expressed optimism at the significant impact these new towers will have on the firefighting capabilities when dealing with tall buildings.
Plans are also underway to equip 24 vehicles with advanced high-pressure mist units, specifically designed for efficient fire dousing. This strategic initiative aims to bolster the fire service’s capacity to contain blazes, particularly in densely populated areas. “The vehicles will be strategically deployed in congested lanes throughout the city, where traditional firefighting methods may not suffice,” the officer explained. “The water-mist technology will prove highly effective in controlling and extinguishing blazes, minimising damage and risk to life and property.”
Meanwhile, all 65 fire stations in the city have been thoroughly strengthened to enable swift and effective responses to any emergency situation. Furthermore, leaves for officers and staff have been restricted to guarantee maximum availability of manpower during this critical period. Additionally, rigorous maintenance efforts have been undertaken to repair all malfunctioning equipment, ensuring that firefighters have access to reliable and functional gear to combat conflagrations efficiently.
Mayank Rawat
