Capital raises its fire safety guard with booster shot

New Delhi: Aiming to bolster fire safety in the city, Delhi govt on Tuesday unveiled a comprehensive plan in its budget to revamp the fire service.
Key proposals included the introduction of small fire engines to navigate congested lanes; procurement of cutting-edge vehicles with high-end equipment, installation of live cameras on vehicles for immediate response; and a major upgrade of the Delhi Fire Service (DFS) headquarters building. Govt also plans to appoint a consultant and harness AI-based solutions to enhance safety.
While a substantial allocation of Rs 125 crore has been made for capital projects, aimed at upgrading and improving infrastructure, Rs 110 crore has been earmarked for capital schemes, which include procurement and modernisation of services.
Presenting the budget, CM Rekha Gupta said two-wheelers will be introduced as the first-response vehicle in congested areas and narrow lanes, where fire incidents are often tricky to tackle. She also proposed deployment of small fire engines at 100 locations in remote areas to improve response time.
CM said 17 water bowsers, along with high-end equipment such as multi-articulated fire towers, aerial ladder platforms and hazmat vans, will be procured. Moreover, high-pressure pumps will be installed using the latest technology in 24 multi-utility vehicles. "Live cameras will be placed in the vehicles for analysis of sensitive, immediate response to fire incidents," she added.
A fire official said combating fires in congested areas is a challenge as the narrow lanes force firefighters to park their tenders at a distance, hindering communication and water supply coordination. This logistical obstacle complicates efforts, making it harder to effectively douse the flames. "If a building collapses, removing debris in congested lanes becomes another major challenge," he added.
Another fire official said articulated fire towers and aerial ladder platforms have been designed for effective firefighting in highrises and industrial areas. "Hazmat vans are equipped with cutting tools, chemical showers and gas detectors, which prove useful during chemical leaks. The cutting tools aid in removing debris, rescuing people and breaching walls," he added.
The DFS HQ building located at Connaught Lane, Barakhamba, has been proposed to be converted to a multi-storey facility. Built in 1967, the ground-plus-one-floor building, where the fire department chief is based, comprises 13 rooms, a hall and cabins. It also houses control and record rooms, with about 100 people working on-site.
The structure has now become dilapidated and outdated, rendering it inadequate for current needs. There are cracks in several places, wires are dangling, and the paint has peeled off. "While minor repairs and painting have been done in the past, the budget will provide a much-needed boost to our infrastructure," an official said.
Meanwhile, a consultant will be appointed to ensure the highest level of accuracy in dispatch, upgrade the DFS control room, provide AI-based solutions, and simplify and automate the application process for issuing fire safety certificates.