Firemen of South Odisha demand better working conditions

BERHAMPUR: Fire fighters in south Odisha demanded better amenities to strengthen up their fire fighting capability.

This was point of discussion at a meeting of fire officials serving under Berhampur zone of fire brigade. This meeting was chaired by Fire Officer of Berhampur, Jaga Rao. There are 45 fire stations under the Berhampur zone. This meeting of fire fighters was important as usually fire accidents increase many folds during summer months.

Major problems

One of the major problems that came under discussion by the fire officials was provision of pump sets to the fire stations. Thirty eight fire stations under Berhampur zone have only single pump sets. In case this pump set develops some snag, it affects service of fire fighters stationed at the fire station. Demand was made for provision of second pump sets to these fire stations. Fire fighters also protested the fact that most of the time they are being used to search or recover dead bodies from drains and water bodies.

They alleged that it was not their job. But in case of need they are compelled to get involved in these operations. “If in any case they are late to recover a dead body due to fire fighting duties, we are facing wrath of locals ,” they alleged. They demanded their department to make an announcement that fire fighters should not be used in the process of recovery of dead bodies.

Condition of buildings of fire stations and living quarters of fire fighters was also discussed. It was alleged that several fire stations like Khariar, Kesinga, Aska, Digapahandi, Patrapur etc do not have a proper boundary wall due to which land of fire station is getting encroached by unscrupulous elements. It was alleged that salary of drivers posted at fire stations was not sufficient and they were not getting proper number of offs due to which they were not getting good drivers. They wanted extra drivers to be posted at fire stations to ease pressure on existing drivers. To enhance fire fighting services two more fire stations are being constructed at Kukudakhandi and Shergarh in Ganjam district.

Apart from it plans are on for establishment of two more fire stations at Chikiti and Guma under this zone.

Source: The Hindu