Fire brigade to procure better quality equipment

Vadodara: The Vadodara Fire and Emergency Services (VFES) of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) will now be able to battle fires in high-rise buildings and similar structures from a distance using state-of-the art equipment. The civic body cleared proposals for procurement of three fire-fighting vehicles including two Advanced High-tech Special Vehicles (AHSV) that will do away the need of firemen standing on hydraulic elevated platforms to douse such fires.
The VMC has presently given NOCs for 511 high-rise buildings in the city. Apart from these, the city has several buildings that are 15 to 18 meters high, but are not categorised as high-rise buildings as per the new norms.

In-charge chief fire officer Deepak Gunjal said that the AHSV will have thermal imaging cameras mounted on an arm or a boom that can to up to a height of 20 to 25 meter. The arm can also rotate 360 degrees to fight fire in all directions.

Gunjal said that operators will be able to see the images sent by the camera on a monitor and will be able to direct the boom from a control panel. The thermal images will show the exact location of a fire even through smoke and the fire can be doused with precision.

The fire brigade got a nod to procure two such AHSVs and also a Rapid Intervention Fire Vehicle (RIFV). The vehicle will be used for duties during the visits of persons with high security cover. The fire brigade presently uses a jeep or a mini fire tender during such duties.

The RIFV will be a tailor-made vehicle with multiple capabilities. It will have provisions for fire-fighting, rescuing, towing and other functions. “Till additional help arrives, it can deal with an emergency situation,” said Gunjal.

The fire brigade will also be procuring two mortuary vans to ferry dead bodies.