To cut response time, fire brigade set to purchase 16 new fire engines

In case of the recent Lotus Business Park fire in Andheri (west) also, the fire brigade reached around 15 to 20 minutes after the call.

While internationally, response time for fires is at a maximum of four minutes, in Mumbai the time taken by the brigade to reach the destination is 8 to 10 minutes for city, and 15 to 18 minutes for suburbs.

“We are intending to purchase these 16 machines by the end of this year. Based on the usage of the fire engines and the response we get, we might opt to buy six more new fire engines with automatic transmission the next year,” the fire official added.

The MFB’s need for an upgrade in fire response comes after the brigade faced severe criticism for its inadequate equipment to tackle major blazes in high-rises or slums, especially during peak hours.

The brigade also invited an expression of interest to set up a new fire alert monitoring system.

Currently, the 2,800-strong personnel fire brigade has 56 fire engines, 28 water tankers, 28 ambulances, eight special ladders and six emergency medical ambulances.

tanushree.venkatraman@expressindia.com