Temshinaro
DIMAPUR, February 28
With 10 fire related incidents in just 2 months, the Fire Brigade Services at Dimapur is all set to take on more challenges as ‘dry windy season’ sets in.
Dimapur fire station equipped with 6 fire engines has been rendering services to the citizens for a long period of time.
The district has witnessed maximum number of fire incidents during 2014 with 92 fire incidents that destroyed properties worth lakhs of rupees and rendered hundreds of fire victims homeless. The biggest inferno occurred was at Signal Lhomithi colony.
In 2015, 44 fire incidents were reported with the biggest blaze being at Kuda Village, C Khel (Nagarjan) where 500 families were rendered homeless.
Talking to Eastern Mirror, OC Fire Station Dimapur, A Wati Jamir warns that citizens should be more cautious with the use of electricity and regularly check as most of the fire sparked off due to ‘electrical short-circuit.’
The 6 fire engines have a capacity of carrying 4000 liters to 7000 liters.
Clarifying public complaints about engines getting exhausted within short span of time, the OC said, fire engines if used with full force take only 5 to 7 to get emptied.
At present, Dimapur fire station is said to have sufficient number of staff with 17 fire personnel including duty commander, jawans and drivers who are on full-time duty of 24 hours while casual staff are called in only during emergency.
The fire station has a reservoir stocked with water within its premises for any eventualities. It has also staff quarters constructed within the office premises. School discipline is still practiced in the life risking department wherein roll call is maintained thrice a day to ensure punctuality and regular attendance.
In order to create awareness on fire disasters, the fire station also organizes various awareness programmes at schools and institutes on safety measures.
Asserting the duty of fire department is to stop fires, the OC lamented that the department is always blamed for delays and poor services despite knowing the fact that there is always traffic problems in the city.
Many may not realize the hardships faced by fire personnel who have to also endure ‘blames’ and ‘criticisms’ from all quarters during calamities which are unpredictable.
The OC appeals to public and commuters to give way on the road whenever fire engines rush out to the fire incident.
He said, one of the major problems is the chaos created by onlookers who stand idle and block the way for fire engines.
He said, most of the public despite being aware of the basics to control fire, fail to follow the safety measures. Nagaland has altogether 10 fire stations in all the districts.
The fire station also on seeing the traffic problem in the town, keeps a fire engine on duty from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at DC Office Junction.
The OC also requested the general public not to make false alarm call as it not only creates tension but a punishable offence.
For speedy transferring of alarm he also requested the public to call the fire station on - 03862-232201 immediately.
