Surat Fire Department on High Alert for Diwali: Staff Leave Cancelled
Surat Municipal Corporation cancels staff leave and puts 27 fire stations on high alert to prevent Diwali fire accidents.
As the city of Surat prepares for the dazzling displays of fireworks, the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has taken apronged approach to safety. To ensure the city remains safe during the festivities, the fire department has been put on high alert, with all 27 fire stations across the city being fully mobilized.
The Strategy for Festive Safety
The SMC has implemented a strict readiness own plan to mitigate the risks associated with Diwali. Deputy Chief Fire Officer Prakash Hedaoo revealed that the teams are ready to respond to any emergency with lightning speed. To maintain maximum manpower, the leave of all officers and personnel has been cancelled for the next four days.
Key Deployment Details
- Station Readiness: Two teams have been deployed at each of the 27 fire stations.
- Manpower: All officers and personnel are on standby, with no leave granted for the rest of the festive period.
- SMC's Warning: Officials have emphasized that even a single moment of carelessness while bursting firecrackers can lead to aserious fire.
- Equipment: In addition to fire tenders, water tankers and JCB machines have been stationed at every fire station to provide critical support during emergencies.
Coordination and Prevention
The fire department is not only focusing on response but also prevention. Teams are currently inspecting firecracker stalls to ensure that safety provisions are strictly followed. This proactive measure is more likely to prevent accidents before they occur.
The fire department is working in close coordination with the 'Dial 112' and '101' emergency services. This ensures that every single incoming call is treated as a high-priority, fast-track emergency to minimize response times.
"In Surat, we have a total of 27 fire stations. We have deployed two teams at each fire station, with all officers and personnel, and fire tenders kept on standby... we have cancelled all leave for our staff and officers; no one will be granted leave for the next four days," said Deputy Chief Fire Officer Prakash Hedaoo.
Regional Fire Incidents
While Surat is strengthening its defenses, other regions have seen devastating fire incidents. In Ghaziabad, a massive fire broke out at a plastic factory in the Vijay Nagar industrial area on Sunday, requiring six fire tenders to battle the flames.
Similarly, in Delhi, a fire erupted at a garment factory building in Nangli Sakrawati near Najafgarh Road on Sunday evening. The blaze, reported around 4:22 pm, was so intense that it spread from the ground floor to the fourth floor. Twenty-five fire tenders were deployed to the spot to the douse the flames, and cooling operations are currently underway as officials work to determine the cause of the fire.