CM flags off 46 Quick-Response units, inaugurates new fire station

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday inaugurated a fire station and flagged off 20 firefighting motorcycles and 26 quick response vehicles (QRVs) to strengthen emergency response. The initiatives were launched as part of ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’, marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25 years in public service.

The fire response motorcycles will be first responders in narrow lanes, crowded markets, and densely populated areas where large fire tenders struggle.

Each specialised motorcycle will carry compressed-air foam and water-mist backpack systems, two 2-litre high-pressure air cylinders, portable fire extinguisher systems, and dual-mode nozzles, Delhi CMO said in a statement.

“The motorcycles will enable trained firefighters to reach incident sites quickly, carry out an initial assessment and begin immediate firefighting and rescue operations. They will also help contain situations until additional resources arrive,” the CMO said.

The Geetanjali fire station in south Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area became the city’s 71st fire station. The station has 16 firefighters, a small fire tender, a QRV and necessary firefighting and rescue equipment, the statement said.

The station will provide quick assistance during fires and other emergencies in Malviya Nagar, Geetanjali, Shivalik, Khirki, Press Enclave, Deoli, Nai Basti, Adarsh Enclave, Dera village and surrounding areas.

The Delhi Government has set a target of 120 fire stations to strengthen the fire service infrastructure further. This includes a state-of-the-art fire service training centre at Budhanpur Majra.

Work is currently being carried out in phases on eight new fire stations, one vehicle workshop and training facilities. At the same time, efforts are also underway to develop land and other basic infrastructure for 23 additional fire stations as required in the future, the statement said.

The chief minister said the Delhi Government is committed to ensuring that every resident of the capital has access to fast, effective and professional fire and rescue services during emergencies.

With the deployment of 26 QRVs, the number of these specialised vehicles in Delhi has gone up to 50.

These vehicles will be deployed at strategic locations to reduce response time during emergencies.

The QRVs are equipped with a 125-litre ultra-high-pressure pump firefighting system, with a minimum capacity of 100 litres of water and 25 litres of foam.

The Chief Minister said that with changing times and Delhi’s growing population, the fire safety department must have modern technology, better resources and faster response capabilities.

She added that the Delhi Fire Service’s capacity is being strengthened in phases.

New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj, Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood, MLA Satish Upadhyay, and others attended the programme.

Sood said rapid urbanisation, densely populated areas, narrow roads and increasing traffic are creating new challenges for fire services. He said it is therefore necessary to strengthen the fire safety system with modern capabilities suited to local requirements.