Panchkula Fire Department lacks firepower

Shortage of staff, machinery among main concerns

Fire-hit victims of the Saketri slum re-build their makeshift accommodations in Panchkula on Monday. RAVI KUMAR

Amit Bathla

Tribune News Service

Panchkula, November 16

The fire that ravaged around 80 jhuggis in Saketri village has brought to the fore shortcomings in the Panchkula Fire Department, affecting fire operations and emergency response, with fresh allegations of reaching the spot late and limited machinery.

Key stats

Population: 5.61 lakh (2011 census) | Fire engines: 8 | Firefighters: 32 | Hydraulic platforms: 1 | Fire stations: 3

Even though the department has denied the charge of responding late, officials admitted that they lacked adequate fire engines and machinery for a population of around six lakh. “On Diwali, we had deployed fire engines at several spots across the city to meet any eventuality in time. Had these been stationed at the Sector 5 station, it would have taken lesser time,” an official of the department said.

Officials said the biggest concern for the department was shortage of staff.

Against the required strength of 48, the department has a manpower of just 32 — facing a crunch of 16.

Ever since the suspension of previous Panchkula Fire Officer Shamsher Singh for ignoring norms in the issuance of fire NOC in August, the department does not have a full-time senior officer.

Jagadhri Fire Officer Pankaj Parashar is holding the additional charge. He sits in Panchkula for just four days — from Tuesday to Friday.

At present, Panchkula has three fire stations with 32 firefighters. The department has eight fire engines. The department needs new fire stations at four new spots, including the Industrial Area. For this, approval of the state government is awaited.

Apart from 2,000 units operating in the Industrial Area, Panchkula has thousands of commercial centres, offices, around 400 schools (private and government) and over 200 group housing societies in Sector 20, Sector 23 to 28 across the Ghaggar and the Mansa Devi complex area, besides high-rise buildings in IT Park.

“The department has to depend upon neighbouring Chandigarh and Mohali for assistance in case of major fire incidents. With new equipment and vehicles, our response time will improve,” an official said on the condition of anonymity.