Reported by Rajesh B. Nair in Thehindu.com on July 20, 2012
The Hindu : NATIONAL / TAMIL NADU : Fire Service ladders still lag behind

A large number of high-rise buildings, majority of them apartments and hotels with high occupancy rate, have already sprung up in the town and some are on the verge of completion. Appearance of such buildings is an indicator of the pace of development taking place in the town in the recent times. But, can the Fire Service Department tackle an emergency, including fire-fighting and rescue operations, in these new buildings. ‘No,’ seems to be the answer.

Details furnished by the department to an application filed under the Right to Information Act by Rajiv Gandhi Human Rights Awareness Organisation reveal that the available ladders mounted on fire tenders can reach up to a height of only 10 to 15 metre. However, several buildings that have come up and those under construction are much taller.

Fire personnel told The Hindu that till a few years ago, the Town and Country Planning gave permission for constructing buildings up to a height of 19 m. But, builders are now authorised to construct up to a height of 30 m. The present ladders are equipped to carry fire fighters to reach up to 10 to 15 m or to the third floor of a building and are of no use in the present scenario, the Fire personnel said.

“Some of the new commercial establishments with five floors are equipped with fire fighting measures and equipment. But, in case of a major disaster, they would need the assistance of Fire Service personnel. With the present ladders, we would be helpless in case of a major fire. What we need are hi-tech ladders,” said a fire fighter.

The department had mooted several proposals in the past to procure skylift or turntable ladders so that they can rescue people trapped inside and douse fire without having to enter the premises through steps or elevator. These hi-tech vehicles are fitted with aerial ladders that can rotate 360 degrees and reach up to the top floors of a high-rise building within minutes. They are also equipped with hose and other allied gadgets to spray water. However these vehicles are very costly, said the fire service officer.

P. Ragupathy, who filed the application under the Act, said fund constraints should not be the criteria in buying hi-tech vehicles with ladders. The government should act before a disaster happens.