Firefighters from the State Fire Department were recently imparted training in using new equipment at the State Training Centre in Tambaram Sanatorium. The personnel were drawn from various fire stations and were given training on operating the machinery.
A state-of-the-art fire engine equipment imported from Finland at a cost of ₹19.5 crore will have all the paraphernalia for the staff to handle any eventuality at a height of over 100 metres.
Last year, the State Fire Department got two Bronto Skylift fire engines and were launched recently.
A Fire Department official in Tambaram said that one of the fire tenders is stationed at Tambaram Fire Station and another would be at Raj Bhavan Fire Station.
He said that a building plan is proposed with an estimate of ₹1.5 crore and the plan includes additional office space with parking facilities.
This new Bronto Skylift is a product of Mercedes Benz with digital display, auto gear system and hydraulic pressure technology. The engine weights about 68 tonnes and runs to a length of 17 metres.
A senior official from TNFRS said, “The purchased machinery can reach a maximum rescue height of 104 m, and the maximum working outreach will be 30 metres.”