SUVs, bikes with 2,500 staff: Delhi’s fire dept preps for Diwali

A senior fire officer said these spots have been identified based on an analysis of yearly fire-related calls every Diwali.

Officers said that motorcycles with compact backpack-sized equipment with water mist technology will be deployed in areas with narrow lanes such as Ambedkar Nagar, Bhikaji Cama Place, and JR Road in Paharganj.

Said an officer, “SUVs with state-of-the-art basic firefighting equipment and GPS-enabled automatic vehicle tracking systems, such as Tata Innova and Mahindra Xylo, will also be deployed with fire-fighting equipment. Two-three fire personnel will be present in each vehicle… A vehicle each will also be deployed at locations such as Connaught Circus, Safdarjung, Shankar Road, Laxmi Nagar, Janakpur, Paiwalan and CBD Shahdara.”

DFS Chief Atul Garg said, “We have put together a tentative plan for Diwali arrangements as the city receives several fire calls during that period, a lot of them arising from bursting firecrackers. The city received a total of 201 fire calls last Diwali, a rise from 152 fire calls responded to in 2021.”

Out of the fire calls received last year, 13 were related to bursting firecrackers and 21 to burning garbage.

A senior officer said, “Since people set up different types of lights, it results in a heavy load on the electricity meters and there are chances of short circuits and subsequent fire mishaps. Bursting crackers also pose a hazard as there are chances of inflammable material catching fire. DFS bikes and vehicles will also patrol the areas… fire personnel are also trained yearly on how to handle fires during Diwali and be on their feet for any calls.”

Garg said depending on the type of fire call received, they will use the equipment already procured by them earlier this year such as mini robots, sky lifts, and telescopic rescue poles, among others.