When a fire broke out in August 2018, or in Girgaum in July 2018, one of the biggest challenges the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) faced was cutting through locked grills. So a proposal by the fire department to procure equipment, at a cost of nearly Rs 5 crore, that will help them overcome such hindrances is a crucial step forward. "The number of high-rises in the city is increasing," says a senior MFB officer, "We need lightweight equipment that is easy to carry. We last upgraded our tools 17 years year ago, which are now outdated." The proposal to buy five types of rescue equipment will be tabled in the next Standing Committee meeting held on Wednesday. Shiv Sena corporator from Mahalakshmi, Arundhati Dudhwarker, had moved a notice of motion in September 2018 to make provision of removable grills in high-rises to facilitate rescue operations MFB has proposed to buy five types of tools that not only help get through grills but also aid rescue during building collapse and other disasters, viz. door breakers, spreaders, cutters, hydraulic power backs and battery operated rescue kits. Around 25 of each of these are likely to be purchased at the total cost of Rs 4.90 crore.

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