Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s (NMC) Fire and Emergency Services Department is facing a severe manpower shortage that could lead to disastrous consequences in the event of a major fire or other emergencies. The department, which is already understaffed, is planning to appoint 15 ‘Aapda Mitra’ (Emergency Friends) in each zone to assist.
According to a local media report, the department has 346 sanctioned posts for firemen across the city’s nine fire stations, but 309 of these positions are vacant. This leaves only 37 firemen to serve a population of 30 lakh spread over 227 sq km. Overall, 476 out of 611 sanctioned posts in the department are vacant, severely impacting operational efficiency.
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Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Abhijeet Chaudhari has approved a proposal to procure new equipment to bolster the department. This includes 14 fire tenders at a cost of Rs 17 crore and a 70-meter hydraulic platform from a Finland-based firm for Rs 19.29 crore. NMC will soon float tenders for buying fire tenders.
Currently, the department has a fleet of 27 emergency vehicles across nine fire stations and 135 personnel, including officers, drivers, and clerical staff. The new equipment is expected to be acquired before the model code of conduct for the State Assembly polls comes into force.
Despite the State Government’s Urban Development Department approving recruitment for 872 posts, the gap between sanctioned and actual staffing levels remains wide. The general administration department has also failed to promote existing personnel.
To mitigate manpower shortage during monsoon, NMC is appealing to citizens to become ‘Aapda Mitra’ to assist fire personnel during emergencies. NMC plans to appoint 15 Aapda Mitras in each of the 10 zones, but citizen response has been lacking.
The fire department’s development plan calls for 22 fire stations in various areas, including Jaitala, Borgaon, Chinchbhavan, and Shankar Nagar or Ram Nagar. Three additional fire stations are set to open in Punapur-Pardi, Wathoda, and Pachpaoli later this year.
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation’s Fire and Emergency Services Department is in critical need of staffing to ensure the safety of the city’s residents. While the procurement of new fire tenders and advanced hydraulic platforms is a step in the right direction, addressing the severe manpower shortage is equally crucial. The NMC must expedite the recruitment process and promote existing personnel to bridge the staffing gap and enhance the city’s fire safety infrastructure.
