Fire Training Simulator, a hydraulic platform & 17 high-tech engines to modernize Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB)'s Fire Force
Equipment will be inducted at regional command centre zone 2 in Wadala
Mumbai: The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) will get an advanced fire training simulator, a hydraulic platform, and 17 high-tech fire engines to modernise the fire force and improve the on-the-job training.
The equipment will be inducted at a ceremony at the regional command centre zone 2 in Wadala, in the presence of Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and ministers Vinod Tawde, Subhash Desai, and mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar.
The simulator will be located at a two-storey training facility in Byculla. It will provide real-time scenarios for 2,500 firemen to test their capacities in a complicated and challenging situation. The simulator, costing Rs. 2.8 crore, is also known as breathing apparatus gallery,and manufactured by Joseph Leslie and Company LLP in Mumbai, with the know-how from German technology Dräger.
A set of physical check-ups, including heart rate, blood pressure, and general fitness tests, are to be conducted to decide on admission to the half-an-hour training programme. A squad of four to five will undergo physical and mental exercises, which involve crawling through narrow tunnels, climbing and overcoming obstacles in the dark rooms full of smoke.
“This will keep our firemen ready to face any situation. We will also allow candidates from Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum, Indian Oil Corporation, and private industries for the training,” said Rajendra Chaudhary, deputy chief officer of MFB.
The first breathing apparatus gallery was set up at Maharashtra State Fire Academy, Kalina. The new one is the first to be procured by the MFB.
“This comes under our three-way programme for the capacity building,” said Prabhat Rahangdale, chief fire officer of MFB.
With a focus directed at building a better response mechanism is procurement of the high-tech engines at Rs.30 crore. These are first such compact vehicles to serve in Mumbai. “These will contribute significantly to the safety of the citizens of which 42% live in slums,” said Mr. Chaudhary.
The vehicles have a 129-horsepower engine, and are equipped with hydraulic and pneumatic tools, breathing apparatus, first aid kit, and emergency lighting. The vehicles are to be operated by four people: one driver, officer and two personnel.
The MFB will also get four normal fire engines and one attack vehicle on Tuesday.
For the western suburbs, the Borivali fire centre will get a hydraulic ladder that is able to reach 81 metres. It is the second such hydraulic tool in Mumbai. “The first one is in Byculla and can reach 81 metres,” said Mr. Chaudhary.
The pneumatic tool, which is run on chassis produced by Volvo, costs `15 crore.
“In future, the MFB will invest in purchasing modern equipment and adopt new technologies,” said Mr. Rahangdale.
