In fire safety,NCR falls short

One of the biggest industrial hubs in western UP and among the most populous cities in the National Capital Region,Noida was developed as an alternative to the urban chaos of the Capital.

In city of high-rises,no equipment to reach high

One of the biggest industrial hubs in western UP and among the most populous cities in the National Capital Region,Noida was developed as an alternative to the urban chaos of the Capital. In stark irony,the citys burgeoning infrastructure lacks even the basic firefighting equipment.

With an estimated population of over 20 lakh,which is likely to double in next 20 years,the city has been completely ignored by the UP government when it comes to fund allocation for the fire department. This year,the government has allocated a measly Rs 2.5 crore.

The fire at the Indian Oil Building in 2008,which left two dead,illustrates the lack of preparedness of the Fire department in dealing with fires in multi-storey structures. The fire,which broke out on the buildings fourth floor at 7.15 pm,took three hours to control. Fourteen fire tenders and a hydraulic platform which Noidas Fire department lacks had to be called in from Delhi. In the Indian Oil Building fire,we did not have a ladder to reach the fourth storey. We had to call in the Electricity departments ladder vehicle, an official of the Gautam Budh Nagar Fire department said. The buildings fire detection system was not working due to which the mishap occurred,the official added.

While the Noida Authority has removed the upper floor limit for high-rise buildings in group housing societies and commercial areas in most sectors,the Fire department seems ill-prepared to handle emergencies in high-rises,with the ladders of their fire tenders reaching up to merely 20 metres

The Fire department carries out regular checking of buildings in the district,but officials believe their advice often falls on deaf ears. While residential buildings are the most vulnerable,the societies do not take our advisories or awareness drives seriously. Most residents are not even trained to use a fire extinguisher, a Fire official said on the condition of anonymity.

Chief Fire Officer Mahavir Singh,however,believes that people respond in a positive manner when notices are served. Owners of clubs and bars,as well as government schools often request us to conduct fire safety drills. Most of the offices now have trained men for firefighting, he added.

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Despite this,in case of a major fires,help from Delhi,Ghaziabad and Meerut is called in. Fire officials in Noida and Ghaziabad,however,believe that once the call is received,it takes the officers one minute to respond. At times,occupants try to extinguish fire themselves first. When situation gets out of hand,they call us. Traffic jams are another hindrance , a senior officer at the Ghaziabad fire station said.

Despite 182 and 198 high-rises in Noida and Ghaziabad respectively,none of the districts has a hydraulic platform. The Noida Authority has approved the purchase of a hydraulic platform. We will get one soon, the fire officer added.

This year,the Ghaziabad fire station issued 22 notices to buildings found lacking in fire safety norms. We have 102 no objection certificates pending for high-rises, a Ghaziabad fire official said.

Among high-tech equipment the Gautam Budh Nagar fire department will get soon are advanced rescue tenders and ambulances with Life Support,a lighting van and dangris (uniforms),fire boots,dragon torches and walkie-talkies.

GBN fire dept has

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* Five fire stations Sector-3,Phase-II,Sector-58,and two temporary fire stations -Dadri and Jevar.

* Fire tenders with capacities of 12,000 litres (l),5,000 l and 2,500 l

* Two water vouchers,11 water tenders,1 ambulance,72 constables,14 head constables,15 drivers,

4 fire officers

Ghaziabad fire dept has

* 4 fire officers,112 constables and head constables,6 fire tenders

* No foam tender

Major fires in Noida

July,2007: Motherson Sumi

Sept 1 2008: Indian Oil building,2 dead