Battling Blaze

Ranchi, April 20: Firemen in the state will soon get wireless sets fitted with global positioning system (GPS) to help them keep in touch with fire stations across the state and extend support to colleagues in neighbouring districts in case of a big fire.

Speaking to The Telegraph, state fire officer Suresh Prasad said at present, firemen depend on their personal mobile phones and limited official landlines for communication, which is not effective in disseminating information throughout the state in case of a big fire, and therefore, hampers team work.

“Sometimes, a particular fire station receives several calls at a time. In that case it becomes difficult for the firemen there to make arrangements to attend all calls due to paucity of personnel and fire tenders. If all fire stations of the state are connected through the wireless network, communication will become easier and sending help from one district to another will also be possible. This facility will help the fire brigade work as a big team,” Prasad said.

He added that the wireless network would also help in making alternative arrangements in case a fire tender breaks down or is hijacking by Maoists in remote villages.

“With the help of GPS, officers sitting in the control room can track the position of the vehicles and monitor the entire operation successfully,” he added.

Prasad said a cheque of Rs Rs 5.5 crore had already been given to the wireless department of the state for the work and a tender was expected to be floated any day. “Once the tender is finalised, work of installing equipment will start,” he said.

There are 33 fire stations across the state equipped with 84 fire tenders, 12 water bowsers, two ambulances, one hydraulic platform, one emergency rescue tender and other equipment and 449 firemen.

An official at the wireless department said the wireless sets would work on very high frequency with the help of a modulator, transmitter and re-modulator.

The system is similar to the one being used by the police to maintain law and order in the state.