MFB to get simulators to train its personnel in live conditions, facility to come up in Kandivali

At present, MFB personnel are imparted with theoretical knowledge during their six-month training period. According to a senior MFB official, the new facility will aid in providing practical training as well as conducting rescue.

Speaking to The Indian Express, a senior official said, “During a house collapse, several slabs come crashing down on lower floors creating cavity and hollow space. Similar conditions are experienced during collapse of tunnels or mines during trenching. In such circumstances, firemen have to conduct rescue within a confined space.”

“In the training centre, props and modules simulating these conditions will be established to train firemen carry out rescue in confined spaces. They will be given practical knowledge on how to enter and clear the cavity, conduct vertical rescue, etc.,” he added.

The facility will also have simulators on fire outbreaks to equip the personnel with the skill to fight various types of blazes such as flames from electrical cable fire, gas, fire, etc.

Mumbai’s Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Ravindra Ambulgekar told The Indian Express, “This is the first time in India that such a facility is being created. The centre will simulate live fires, live building collapses and other systems. Fire officials will undergo training under regulated supervision.”

According to Ambulgekar, the facility will be established within a year. “While we have received approvals, the process of finalising the bidder can take some time. Depending on their proposals, we will lock in the deadline,” said another official.

Since 2004, the MFB has been conducting training on firefighting with props at its Wadala regional command centre. Meanwhile, training on drowning and flood rescue is conducted along the city’s coast and at Kolad river.

Several house and wall collapse incidents are reported in Mumbai, especially during the monsoon months, with the most recent case recorded on August 28, when a wall from a chawl collapsed, killing two.

On January 1 and July 31 this year, the MFB recorded 3,197 fire incidents, marking an increase of 2.3 per cent from last year. In the first months of 2024, fire-related incidents claimed eight lives and injured 118 others.