Probe into absence of fire-force team

KOLLAM: The fire and rescue service personnel posted at the Secretariat were not at the spot when the fire broke out on Tuesday. Though six fire and rescue officials were posted to handle emergency situation in the Secretariat, only one was available for the rescue work.
Director general of fire and rescue services DGP Sreelekha has ordered a probe into the issue.
While the six-member team under a station officer was deputed at the Secretariat, it has been pointed out that at no stage they were dedicating their time for ensuring the safety of the building. There are also allegations that some of the personnel, who were functionaries of Kerala fire service association, never wore uniforms while on duty.
“The association’s interest is to facilitate posting of personnel who seek transfers to places where work load is comparatively lesser. These influential association leaders manage to continue in the Secretariat and no senior officer dares to touch them,” said a fire-force personnel on the condition of anonymity.
There are also complaints that association leaders get themselves posted on deputation at the Secretariat as they enjoy the patronage of the ruling party. “As they have political patronage, they need not work. In the last four years, they haven't attended a single call for fire and rescue operation,” the officer added.
As per the norms, every official has to be transferred on completion of three years at a station. But the functionaries of KFSA have been allegedly continuing in the Secretariat for the last four years.
About the absence of personnel at the Secretariat, DGP Sreeelekha told TOI that there was no sanctioned post for firemen in the Secretariat and the legislature. “The six personnel were on deputation and as per norms, there should have been at least three personnel on duty at a time. I have noticed that there was only one person at the time of incident,” she said. “Disciplinary action would be initiated against erring personnel,” she said.