Fire personnel ready for Diwali, leave cancelled

Our Correspondent

Patiala, October 13

To prevent any hazardous situation amid the celebrations of festival of lights, the Municipal Corporation, Patiala, has cancelled the leave of the staff of the Fire Department and also issued directions to them to remain alert for any emergency situation.

The MC has also appealed to city residents to ensure precautionary measures while storing and bursting crackers.

Municipal Commissioner, Patiala, Gurpreet Singh Khaira, said to avert any emergency situation, the Fire Department had been put on high alert and it was directed to remain functional for 24 hours.

Notably, the Fire Department of the civic body was already facing shortage of staff and the high alert amid the festive season has added to the woes of the employees.

There are eight fire tenders in Patiala city for which only 25 staff members are present in the office and according to the norms, 48 employees are needed for smooth operations. The department also owns two fire-fighting motorcycles, which are also lying non-operational due to the alleged incompetence to use them during an emergency. Of the nearly 25 employees at Patiala, there are around nine male fire fighters; three female fire-fighters, five sub-fire officers and five drivers.

The MC Commissioner said city residents could reach the Fire Department by dialing 0175-2215956, 0175-2215357 and 0175-101. He also appealed to residents to prefer their safety before storing fireworks and directed wholesalers to comply with the safety guidelines of the administration for the sale of fireworks.

The MC has also appealed to the residents to keep fire extinguishing equipment at their houses and workplaces to tackle with any emergency. Directions have also been issued to all shopkeepers to not to encroach streets and roads for sale purposes during the festive season.

MC officials have also suggested to avoid bursting crackers near schools, hostels, hospitals, residential areas with senior citizens and crowded places.

The residents have also been told not to allow children to light firecrackers alone and to strictly follow the safety norms. They were also advised to keep a bucket of water, sand and blanket and first-aid box handy while bursting crackers to tackle any untoward incident.

Follow safety norms, residents told

Residents of the city have been told not to allow children to light firecrackers alone and to strictly follow the safety norms. They were also advised to keep a bucket of water, sand and blanket and first-aid box handy while bursting crackers to tackle any untoward incident.