Delhi Fire Services has identified 20 vulnerable locations in the city including congested areas and key market places where fire tenders will be deployed on Diwali to cope with the steep rise in fire related incidents on the day.
Areas where fire tenders will remain on standby on Diwali include Ajmeri Gate, Tilak Nagar, Najafgarh, Sarojini Nagar market, Lajpat Nagar market, Jasola, Sarita Vihar, Khirki Extension and Yamuna Vihar.
"We will deploy fire tenders of various capacities in these 20 locations which include main markets and thickly populated areas. The deployment will be in addition to our 56 fire stations across the national capital. If any incident takes place in these areas, help will be readily available close by," A K Sharma (Director) Delhi Fire Services told PTI.
With people bursting crackers on Diwali, the day sees almost a three-fold jump in fire related incidents.
According to data compiled by DFS, 65 to 75 calls of fire related incidents are received by them on a daily basis. The number easily crosses 200 on Diwali.
Around 1,800 personnel of the Delhi Fire Services out of its total strength of 3,000 will be on duty on Diwali while 175 to 180 fire fighting vehicles along with 25 to 30 vehicles to provide logistics will be operational on that day.
"A detailed plan has already been drawn. Most of our men will be on duty and day offs have been cancelled. The vehicles and communication equipment have been tested so that they can take the pressure during the peak time. The most number of incidents are reported between 8 PM to 2 AM on Diwali and this is the time the system should not crash," said Sharma.
He also advised people to take some precautions on Diwali to avoid any mishaps.
"People should clear any trash from their rooftops and balconies as most fire incidents happen when they caught fire after rockets land on them. Doors and windows should be kept shut. Children should burst crackers in parental supervision and a bucket of water should be kept close by," he said.
In the last six months, Delhi Fire Services has procured a 70 meter hydraulic aerial ladder platform, 10 new fire tenders and six Mahindra jeeps with especially fitted water mist fire extinguishing system.
"These jeeps which are smaller in size will be able to reach quicker and also in congested areas. They would be handy in controlling the fire by the time the bigger vehicles can reach," he said.
