Indian Express 17.11.2009
Mayor seeks study on feasibility of setting up fire academy in city
Mayor Kamlesh has asked for a report to be prepared about the feasibility of setting up a fire academy in the city. She has been pressing officials to consider the proposal ever since her trip to Gujarat where councillors saw a similar academy.
In a report submitted about the trip, this was one of the proposals mooted by the councillors.
The fire academy would facilitate training of fresh recruits and refresher courses would also be offered for serving officials.
While the report has been rejected by UT Administrator General S F Rodrigues (Retd) and sent back to the Municipal Commissioner seeking his comments, the Mayor has asked officials to consider the proposal.
Kamlesh says the civic body has the requisite fire fighting equipment as well as other facilities for training. “The Corporation has all the upgraded equipment that is needed for setting up the academy. All we need is a trainer. It would be unfortunate if just for the lack of will to execute the proposal a great opportunity is missed,” said the mayor.
She added: “In the future, there will be a number of opportunities in the field of disaster management. Fire fighting would also be a part of it. It is necessary to train youngsters in the field. Also it is essential that residents be prepared to handle emergencies. This can prevent grave tragedies from occurring.”
A need for upgrading training was felt after a fire in the Sector-22 market claimed four lives. Also, after a fire in the mayor’s office, she had said the staff did not know how to operate the fire fighting equipment and asked for training to be provided to them.
