Goa firemen to zip about on bikes

Goa state fire services chief Ashok Menon said that the motorcycle unit was the first of its kind and would be the first to be dispatched from the fire station to assess and tackle the emergencies.

"The motorcycle first response team will reach the emergency site first. The reason why we are starting this is because in crowded areas, a fire engine sometimes finds it difficult to get through, whereas a motorcycle can easily navigate through traffic," Menon told IANS.

The two-man unit will have the firefighters equipped with backpacks with compressed foam, gear, rope and other equipment which would the fire services equivalent of a medical emergency kit.

"Motorcycles can also use the smaller roads to get to emergency and fire accidents sooner," Menon said.