The Hindu 09.12.2010
VMC plans to set up three fire stations
Staff Reporter
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Officials to make a presentation in this regard at a meeting in |
Benz Circle, Bhavanipuram, Satyanarayanapuram to get the stations
The VMC fire wing is also planning to induct additional staff
VIJAYAWADA: The fire wing of Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) is contemplating setting up three fire stations in the city.
The Corporation officials are chalking out plans to set up the fire
stations with necessary equipment like hydraulic and turntable fire
tenders by making use of Thirteenth Finance Commission funds.
The VMC fire wing officials would make a presentation in this regard
at a meeting on ‘Preparation of fire hazard and mitigation plan for
million plus cities’ scheduled to be held in Hyderabad on December 14.
The Finance Commission has asked the Municipal Corporations – the
VMC, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and the Greater
Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) — to spell out the role of
their fire wings vis-a-vis regular fire services department. Based on
this, the VMC Fire wing began the exercise, officials say.
The VMC fire wing has identified Benz Circle, Bhavanipuram, and
Satyanarayanapuram as the areas that require a fire station each. A
hydraulic platform fire tender, which would cost around Rs. 6 crore, is
being planned for the Benz Circle fire station in view of the high rise
buildings and industrial area situated nearby.
Likewise, a multi purpose fire tender that costs about Rs. 40 lakh
and an ordinary fire tender that costs anywhere between Rs. 20 lakh and
Rs. 25 lakh are being planned for the remaining two fire stations, the
officials explain.
In expansion mode
The VMC fire wing is also contemplating getting additional staff of
three station house officers, two additional divisional fire officers
and a divisional fire officer (DFO). The city would be divided into east
and west zones for administrative convenience. These officials would be
assisted by staff like firemen, lead fire men, junior assistants and
the like.
It is yet to be decided as to who should incur recurring and
non-recurring expenditure like salaries and purchase of equipment,
respectively. The meeting would throw light on these aspects, including
sharing of duties between the VMC fire wing and the Andhra Pradesh Fire
and Emergency Services Department.
