OPEN HOUSE: HOW TO IMPROVE FUNCTIONING OF FIRE BRIGADE DEPT? Setting up more sub-stations around city need of hour to check fire incidents Provide adequatefire-fighting tools The Fire Department is ill-equipped to handle any major fire incident as it does not have adequate equipment to control flames in buildings above 40-ft height. The city has many high-rise buildings such as shopping malls and hotels, which are beyond the reach of fire tenders as ladders the department has cannot reach these buildings beyond a particular height. The state government should provide adequate fire-fighting equipment. Dr Vitull K Gupta The Fire Department is facing a shortage of staff and necessary fire-fighting equipment. Besides, it lacks required infrastructure. A majority of the staff is working on a contractual basis. A major drawback is the location of the fire station. For the past many years, it is situated right in the heart of the city. Due to traffic rush on main roads, fire tenders take more time to reach the venue of fire incident. The proposal to have two fire stations - one near ITI and the other in Amarpura Basti, is yet to be materialised. Another major drawback is lack of availability of foam tenders, which are helpful in extinguishing fire caused by petrol, chemicals and electricity. The Municipal Corporation of Bathinda must provide the required manpower and material to enable fire-fighting units to effectively handle fire incidents. There is an urgent need to shift the fire station to an outer area of the city. Prof NK Gosain Need to set up more fire brigade offices Fire brigade has always been the back bone of any industrial and commercial city. It not only saves the life of people but also helps in preventing losses of industrial and commercial places in case of any fire incident. At one point of time, the location of the fire brigade office had its own advantages as it is in the centre of the city. Now with expansion and increase in population, it has turned into a disadvantage. In case of emergency, fire tenders have to pass through congested markets. Three or four fire brigade offices should be set up at different strategic points of the city. Prof Rajnish Kumar Safety aspect should not be compromised The authorities should quarterly check all major places such as schools, colleges, hospitals, restaurants and cinema halls in terms of fire safety as the department should not compromise with the safety aspect. Moreover, latest equipment should be used in controlling flames. It should be made mandatory to install fire extinguishers at all important places. Atul Garg Set up fire sub-station near industrial areas There are three industrial areas in the district that are situated on the outskirts of the city. Whenever there is any fire incident, it takes time for fire brigade teams to reach the spot. In the absence of adequate fire safety measures in place, thousands of workers employed in these firms are also vulnerable to any untoward incident. Over the years, owners of industrial units have been pressing for introducing a fire sub-station in the industrial area so that in case of fire emergency, it can be controlled on time, minimising the damage to a property or human lives. Gurleen Kaur Ensure maintenance of fire safety equipment First of all, let us congratulate ourselves for expansion of our city at a rapid pace. Installations such as refinery, NFL, thermal plants and Air Force station most likely have all means to handle emergency-like situations, including fire incidents. But, the Municipal Corporation with the help of its fire brigade unit is supposed to provide these services. In spite of its best efforts, it could only contain fire incidences in the recent past. Despite having NOCs, a large number of institutions, petrol pumps, hotels, marriage palaces, multi-storey buildings, malls and factories must ensure proper upkeep and maintenance of fire safety equipment round the clock. Col (Retd) Virender QUESTION With most of the city roads being encroached upon by street vendors, we invite our readers to send in their views, suggesting what the authorities should do to address the problem? Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to btitribune@gmail.com or post it to Bathinda Tribune, SCF-117, Opposite Harchand Cinema, Goniana Road, Bathinda, by November 3.

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