Ahead of the Diwali festival, the Himachal Pradesh Fire Department has stepped up its preparedness to tackle any potential fire hazards and ensure a safe celebration across the region. In view of safety measures during the festive period, the department has placed its entire workforce on high alert and canceled all leaves for its personnel.
Comprehensive Preparations Across The State
Himachal Pradesh Chief Fire Officer Sanjeev Kumar stated that the department has finalized all arrangements to deal with any fire-related emergencies during the festivities. All firefighting vehicles have been maintained in operational condition, ensuring they are ready for immediate deployment. The state currently has a total of 304 firefighting vehicles, encompassing both small and large units, stationed to respond to distress calls.
Shift Adjustments For Maximum Manpower
Highlighting the ground-level readiness, Sanjeev Kumar noted that all fire engines are fully functional and special inspections of all fire stations have been conducted by officials. While duties are normally organized across three shifts, personnel will operate in just two shifts during Diwali to maximize manpower availability on the ground and enhance emergency response times.
Strict Leave Policies And Public Awareness
Leaves for all firefighting personnel have been canceled for the festive duration, with exceptions granted only under extreme circumstances such as a family wedding or an unfortunate tragedy. Sanjeev Kumar added that public awareness has improved significantly over the past 8 to 10 years, with citizens largely bursting crackers within designated time frames, which has led to a noticeable decline in fire accidents. Despite this positive trend, the department remains fully prepared to handle any unforeseen emergency.
Infrastructure And Geographical Challenges
At present, a total of 88 fire units are established across various districts in the state. The department has a total of 1,345 sanctioned posts across different categories, with the recruitment process for filling vacant positions currently underway. However, authorities face significant logistical hurdles in several rural parts of Himachal Pradesh where proper road connectivity is lacking. Furthermore, narrow markets and areas like Shimla feature only ambulance-accessible roads, posing considerable challenges for fire engines in reaching and dousing blazes during major fire outbreaks.
