The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Slum-dwellers to be trained in fire prevention

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 15, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Slum-dwellers to be trained in fire prevention

Vikram Sharma

Collectors asked to take the initiative

HYDERABAD: Faced with frequent fire mishaps in slums all over the State, the danger all the more predominant with the mercury shooting up beyond the 45 degree Celsius mark, the Fire Services Department has embarked on an ambitious plan to involve hut dwellers in fire prevention and control.

"The effort is to tackle fire at the initial stages and avoid a spark turn into a major fire," the Director-General of Fire Services, Alok Srivastava, has said.

The Home Department has issued instructions to district Collectors to take up the new initiative in coordination with the Andhra Pradesh Fire Services Department units locally. The Collectors have also been asked to take up joint inspection of places prone to fire accidents, particularly clusters of thatched dwellings, at least once in a month. The local police, revenue officials, local bodies, electrical and fire officials will form part of the team.

Focus on clusters

"We will find out how many such clusters of huts exist and impart training on the do's and don'ts to avoid outbreak of fire," Mr. Srivastava says. He says that hut dwellers will be taught how to observe safety precautions while using LPG stoves or handling products like kerosene and petrol.

"Whenever a fire breaks out in a cluster of huts and fire fighters are called in, the major problem lies with the access to the epicentre of the fire and water resources. There is hardly any space for fire engines to reach the spot. We will also chalk out plans to provide access to slum areas so that fire fighting and rescue operations can be carried out without a hitch," Mr. Srivastava says.

The recent fire at Basar, which claimed the lives of three members of a family, broke out as they stored cans of kerosene, diesel and petrol in their hut that caught fire, he said.

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