Magadh fire: DMD for strict maintenance of Standard Operating Procedure

GAYA: Following major incidents of fire in Jahanabad and Aurangabad districts of Magadh division, the disaster management department has directed officials to strictly follow the standard operating procedure. Major loss of life and property has been reported from Ratni and Daudnagar block areas of Jahanabad and Aurangabad respectively.
Whereas more than a dozen persons were charred to death in fire tragedy in the Daudnagar area of Aurangabad district on Friday, a day earlier (Thursday) about 100 dwelling units were gutted in Ratni area of Jahanabad district.
In Gaya, Nawada and Arwal district too, incidents of fire have been reported from different places. To make things worse for Gayaites, for the 35 lakh plus population only 11 proper fire tenders are available.
According to Fire Brigade officer Hanuman Ram four of the eleven fire tenders are stationed in the district head quarters. Fire tenders have also been stationed at Bodh Gaya, Sherghati, Tekari and Neemchak Bathani sub divisional head quarters. Only two drivers are there to man the four fire tenders stationed at the district head quarters which means that two of the fire tenders virtually remain redundant at any given point of time. Besides the proper fire tenders numbering eleven, eight small fire tenders are also available in the district.
Meanwhile the Disaster Management Dept has directed officials to strictly follow the Standard Operating Procedure in incidents of major fire. The Standard Operating Procedure was notified in the year 2010. According to Disaster Management Dept Principal Secretary Vyasji Mishra, the SOP mandates the physical presence of District Collectors at sites of major fire.
A compensation of Rs four lakhs is to be paid immediately in case of death. Besides the compensation for the loss of life, Cash dole of Rs 3000 is also to be made for the purchase of food items. Rs 2000 is to be paid for clothing and another Rs 1800 for the purchase of utensils destroyed in fires. Compensation is also mandated for the loss of cattle and other property.
Vyasji Mishra also said that the Dept was engaged in awareness creation and a detailed advisory on dos and donts to fight and prevent fire has also been issued. The district officials have been directed to get the dos and donts widely propagated through pamphlets and other means of communication.
According to activist Brajnandan Pathak, the rampant encroachment of water bodies in different parts of Magadh division has made fire fighting more difficult. Pathak also wanted proper regulation of the use of ground water to retain water for use during times of emergency.