With the summer season round the corner and air getting dry with decreasing humidity and fast moving winds, there are rising chances of fire incidents in shops, offices and even residential areas. Fire fighters, although undergoing acute shortage of manpower and infrastructural facilities in Jharkhand, are bringing in as many as 42 more fire tenders to tackle the menace in the State.

The officials of Jharkhand Fire Service (JFS), however, claim that they are prepared round the clock of any kind of eventuality but at the same time also suggest people to be extra careful taking all precautions to avoid fire like situation in their day-to-day life. “We are all prepared round the clock to fight with any fire like situation throughout the year in all seasons, but at the same time also suggest that the people should also be vigilant as this season in more vulnerable of catching fire due to fast and decreasing humidity in the wind,” said the State Fire Officer Mahanand Singh.

According to Singh, the department has also ordered 42 more small and large fire tenders to ensure better service to the people of the State,” said Singh. Out of 42, 28 fire tenders are ready, which will be roped in throughout the State soon after getting them inspected by the competent authorities, added Singh. “Presently, there is a fleet of 82 fire tenders across the State to fight fire of any intensity and magnitude. Also there is one ‘Aerial ladder Platform’ to reach the point of fire in sky scrapers. Each of the fire station in Ranchi have an average 4-5 fire tenders with a single foam fire tender placed in Dhurwa,” said a fireman requesting anonymity.

Sources in the fire department, however, told that there was an acute shortage of staff in the department doing away with only 3-4 firemen on a fire tender against the minimum standard strength of six people on it. Similarly, each fire station must be provided at least one foam-tender in each of the fire stations so that they can deal with the fire caused by oil and plastic efficiently, which was very common these days, he said.

The ‘Foam Dissipater’ is used to control fire caused by oily substances and gases (Category B and C).  The foam used in this case has to be lighter than the lightest oil. The foam dissipater is also used to spray tiny droplets of water to control fire caused by gases. The dissipater when filled with a special powder is used to control fire of category D, caused by metallic substances.

The dry powder when sprayed creates a vacuum and reduces the level of oxygen thus putting the fire off. The equipments are used according to the nature and cause of fire which in turn is based on the substance that causes fire. Moreover, despite having fire extinguishers at each of the fire station, they do not have facilities of refilling them here.

The fire extinguishers have been dumped as they could not be sent back to Kolkata for refueling, said another official of fire department.