
2 NMC officials in Finland to inspect 72M firefighting ladder for high-rises
Also, the number of fire stations is set to increase from the current nine to around 22. Recruitment is also under way to fill long-pending vacancies for firefighters, officers, and rescue personnel.
The most critical addition to the city's firefighting capability remains the 72-metre hydraulic ladder, meant to respond effectively to emergencies in skyscrapers. To inspect the equipment before procurement, chief fire officer Tushar Barahate and executive engineer (workshop department) Rajesh Gurumule embarked on a week-long tour to Finland recently.
The ladder is manufactured by Finnish firm Bronto Skylift, which was selected after a global tendering process. Italy-based Magirus-Schela was the other contender, but Bronto was chosen based on superior technical and financial evaluations.
With several buildings in the city now rising above 90 metres, the 72-metre turntable ladder has become a necessity for efficient emergency response and disaster management.
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At present, NMC's fire and emergency services department has a ladder that can reach only up to 42 metres — inadequate for the evolving urban skyline.
During the Finland visit, the officials will observe live demonstrations of the ladder's performance under various simulated emergency conditions. The visit aims to assess whether the platform meets NMC's specific operational needs and is suited to Nagpur's urban layout.
Meanwhile, the fire department has generated Rs18.25 crore in revenue through the issuance of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to buildings and commercial establishments. The department has also conducted fire audits of 202 govt, semi-govt buildings, and hospitals.
In response to a query whether the department is equipped to handle fire incidents in skyscrapers, a senior fire official said, "Everything depends on the internal fire protection systems. Our current ladder reaches 42 metres. What truly matters are fire lifts, emergency towers, staircases, refuge areas, and an efficient sprinkler system."
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