Fire brigade team on alert as city celebrates

Nikhila Pant Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, October 18

For the past 30 years, Jaswinder Singh has not been able to celebrate Diwali with his family.

His family members have also adapted themselves to the demands of his job and have shunned the habit of complaining.

“They know that I am a fire officer and it is my duty to be present at the fire brigade office to handle any unfortunate incident. It is our job to make sure that others celebrate all festivals safely. On Diwali too, when everyone is celebrating, we are confined to our office hoping that there are no fire incidents,” said Jaswinder, who is currently posted as the fire officer in Bathinda.

The Bathinda fire brigade has seven fire tenders, which include four big ones and three small ones.

Tomorrow, fire tenders will be stationed at Talwandi Sabo, near Government Rajindra College, near Multipurpose Sports Stadium and one in the trans-railway line area.

The remaining fire tenders will be kept on standby.

“The entire staff of 31 persons has been called to the office by noon tomorrow. We will be on duty till at least 12 in the night or even later depending on the instances of fire. The employees then leave for their homes in phases. Most of the staff members stay in Bathinda. The ones who come from nearby areas are asked to leave earlier than the others,” Singh said.

Over the years, the incidents of fire in the district have decreased.

“The reasons behind it can be that a lesser number of crackers are burst these days. Also, people have become more cautious while bursting crackers,” Jaswinder said.