Delhi CM unveils revamp of Delhi Fire Services, vows world-class upgrade
Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta on Friday announced a plan to revamp the Delhi Fire Services (DFS) with an aim to transform it into the most advanced firefighting service in the country. She said her government has allocated ₹504 crore to the service of which ₹110 crore will be used to buy new equipment.
Gupta said DFS will get a new headquarters, stations will set up in underserved areas, fire vehicles will get surveillance cameras, the control room will get a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system to track vehicles in real time, 100 small vehicles will be acquired to fight fires in narrow lanes, and firefighters will be trained to respond better to emergencies.
'The primary objective of our government is to ensure the safety of Delhi residents. We will expand the number of fire stations and establish 100 new fire posts, especially in narrow lanes, where fire units equipped with modern equipment will be deployed. For this, the government has made a budgetary provision of ₹504 crore of which ₹110 crore is earmarked for capital expenditure on the purchase of new machinery, equipment, and modern tools. Our aim is for DFS to emerge as not only the most modern and alert fire service in the country but also in the world. The number of firefighters will be increased as needed to effectively and timely respond to every emergency,' Gupta said during a visit to DFS headquarters in Connaught Place on Friday.
'A comprehensive roadmap for both short-term and long-term works has been prepared for modernising the fire service. Short-term works will include staff recruitment, equipment repair, and public awareness campaigns. Long-term works will include the development of a GIS-based centralised portal, modernisation of fire trucks, and enhancing the fire service's capabilities to international standards through global partnerships,' the chief minister's office said in a statement.
DFS has 67 fire stations, and 18 more are required so that firefighting services can effectively serve the entire Capital. DFS has more than 3,000 firefighters who attend to more than 36,000 emergency situations annually — the highest among metros in India.
Modern tools
Gupta said that her government has bought 18 mini firefighting robots, AWT vehicles (specialised firefighting vehicles designed to reach places as high as 70 metres), and 32-metre turntable ladders for DFS.
'Our government has already provided four aerial water towers, 17 water bowsers and 24 quick response vehicles to DFS,' Gupta said.
DFS demonstrated several advanced equipment to Gupta including articulated water tower vehicles, 32-metre turntable ladders, mini firefighting robots, and quick response vehicles. The articulated water tower vehicles are fully remote-controlled and equipped with thermal and optical cameras, ensuring the safety of firefighters while extinguishing fires in high-risk areas. Currently, two such vehicles are deployed, each at the Connaught Place and Laxmi Nagar fire stations.
An official of the home department said the mini firefighting robot is a made-in-India device which can withstand temperatures up to 500°C and is equipped with cameras for live video feeds. The robot can discharge 2,500 litres of water per minute, significantly reducing the risks involved in firefighting. Additionally, 24 new quick response vehicles have been provided to DFS, designed to handle fires in narrow lanes, dense settlements, and electrical and LPG-related incidents.
A 32-metre turntable ladder has been introduced, specifically designed for firefighting in high-rise buildings and for rescuing people stranded at height. This ladder is mounted on a fire truck and can rotate 360 degrees, making it versatile for use in any direction.
New headquarters and stations
The current DFS headquarters is located in a dilapidated building and the government has decided to construct a new building in its place. 'The government has taken a significant and sensitive decision to approve the construction of a new, modern building, and the work will begin shortly,' Gupta said.
'New fire stations will be established in areas of Delhi that currently lack them. Smart response mechanisms and advanced technologies will be implemented for real-time monitoring of fire incidents and rapid response. Moreover, advanced training programmes will be introduced for firefighters to ensure timely and effective action in any disaster situation,' Gupta said.
Officials said that the number of the new fire stations will be announced after an assessment of the underserved areas.
The number of additional firefighters that the government will recruit will be revealed after the plans are finalised. The recruitment drive is likely to be launched soon to address staff shortages, officials said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
"Court ordered removal of this slum, no one can defy court orders": Delhi CM Rekha Gupta on demolition of Madrasi Camp
New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday said that the demolition drive conducted at Madrasi Camp was action taken in strict compliance with court directives. She stated that the court had ordered the removal of this slum four times in order to clean the Barapulla drain aimed at preventing future flood-related disasters in the capital. Chief Minister Gupta asserted that the residents of the Madrasi camp have been allotted houses and have been moved there. Speaking to reporters, Gupta stated, 'I have clearly said, that if the court has ordered something, neither the government, nor the administration can do anything about it. The truth about the demolition of Madrasi Camp is that it was set up on the banks of the Barapullah drain. The court had ordered the removal of this slum four times so that machines could be deployed to clean the drain. Otherwise, 2023-like floods would be seen again in Delhi. No one can defy court orders. Residents of that camp have been allotted houses and shifted there.' Delhi Chief Minister noted that similar actions have been taken to another places, including Railway Colony. Targeting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders for politicising the matter, the Chief Minister asked who will be held responsible if there would be a loss of life. She said, 'Action was taken in three places in Delhi, including Railway Colony, a slum set up near the railway tracks. The railways took action. Who would be held accountable if there is a loss of life? Should Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi, or Arvind Kejriwal be held accountable? The court knows what it is doing and hence has given orders.' Further, noting that the BJP-led Delhi government is working for the welfare of the capital territory, the Chief Minister said, 'Apart from this, development work is going on throughout Delhi at a cost of Rs 700 crores which was never done by Kejriwal or Congress government.' Earlier on June 4, AAP leader and Delhi Assembly LoP Atishi launched a scathing attack on the BJP following the demolition drive at Madrasi Camp in Jangpura, South East Delhi on June 1 following a court order. In a post on X, Atishi posted, 'BJP had promised 'jahan jhuggi, wahan makaan' (where there is a slum, there will be a house), but as soon as it won the election, it bulldozed the Madrasi camp.' 'Today, when I went there, women, elderly, youth - everyone cried bitterly. They were saying that they made a mistake by voting for the BJP. If Kejriwal were here, he would not have let our slums be demolished,' posted Atishi. The operation was carried out to resolve the flooding issues caused by the narrowed drain, which obstructs water flow during heavy rains. 370 encroachments have been demolished, with 189 residents deemed eligible for resettlement and allocated flats in Narela, while 181 are ineligible for resettlement. (ANI)
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta inaugurates construction work of Jan Sewa Camp in Haiderpur
New Delhi [India], June 8 (ANI): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday inaugurated the construction work of a 24-seater Jan Sewa Camp (JSC) in the Jhuggi Jhopdi (JJ) cluster of the Nehru Camp area in Haiderpur. On Saturday, CM Rekha Gupta also participated in the 300th birth anniversary celebrations of Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai Holkar. Speaking at the event, she described the legendary queen as a symbol of harmony, courage, and visionary leadership. In a post on X, CM Gupta wrote, 'Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar was not just a queen - she was a visionary who ruled with justice, policy, harmony and indomitable courage and gave a new identity to Indian women's power through her leadership. Her entire life is an indelible example of nation-building, public welfare and women's empowerment. The inspiring life of Queen Mother Ahilyabai not only empowers the role of women in Indian history, but also proves that a visionary woman can lay the foundation of a prosperous and welfare nation with her wisdom, policies and courage. His memory is both an ideal and an inspiration for us.' 'She is not just a queen, she is a symbol of policy, harmony and courage - an indelible inspiration for women's leadership. Her life tells us that even a woman can lead an entire era,' CM Gupta said. Union Minister of State SPS Baghel and Harsh Malhotra were also present at the event. Meanwhile, the Delhi government is also planning to set up UMTA (Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority) to improve public transport in the state. The aim is to have better coordination among public transport agencies. It further aims to improve public transport coordination and project implementation, to streamline the public transport system by facilitating better communication and cooperation between different transport agencies. (ANI)
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
2 hours ago
- Business Standard
Court's order of removal of slum must be followed: Delhi CM on demolition
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday said that the demolition drive conducted at Madrasi Camp was action taken in strict compliance with court directives. She stated that the court had ordered the removal of this slum four times in order to clean the Barapulla drain aimed at preventing future flood-related disasters in the capital. Chief Minister Gupta asserted that the residents of the Madrasi camp have been allotted houses and have been moved there. Speaking to reporters, Gupta stated, "I have clearly said, that if the court has ordered something, neither the government, nor the administration can do anything about it. The truth about the demolition of Madrasi Camp is that it was set up on the banks of the Barapullah drain. The court had ordered the removal of this slum four times so that machines could be deployed to clean the drain. Otherwise, 2023-like floods would be seen again in Delhi. No one can defy court orders. Residents of that camp have been allotted houses and shifted there." Delhi Chief Minister noted that similar actions have been taken to another places, including Railway Colony. Targeting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders for politicising the matter, the Chief Minister asked who will be held responsible if there would be a loss of life. She said, "Action was taken in three places in Delhi, including Railway Colony, a slum set up near the railway tracks. The railways took action. Who would be held accountable if there is a loss of life? Should Saurabh Bharadwaj, Atishi, or Arvind Kejriwal be held accountable? The court knows what it is doing and hence has given orders." Further, noting that the BJP-led Delhi government is working for the welfare of the capital territory, the Chief Minister said, "Apart from this, development work is going on throughout Delhi at a cost of Rs 700 crores which was never done by Kejriwal or Congress government." Earlier on June 4, AAP leader and Delhi Assembly LoP Atishi launched a scathing attack on the BJP following the demolition drive at Madrasi Camp in Jangpura, South East Delhi on June 1 following a court order. In a post on X, Atishi posted, "BJP had promised 'jahan jhuggi, wahan makaan' (where there is a slum, there will be a house), but as soon as it won the election, it bulldozed the Madrasi camp." "Today, when I went there, women, elderly, youth - everyone cried bitterly. They were saying that they made a mistake by voting for the BJP. If Kejriwal were here, he would not have let our slums be demolished," posted Atishi. The operation was carried out to resolve the flooding issues caused by the narrowed drain, which obstructs water flow during heavy rains. 370 encroachments have been demolished, with 189 residents deemed eligible for resettlement and allocated flats in Narela, while 181 are ineligible for resettlement.
