The Hindu : Front Page : Firemen yet to get protective gear

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Wednesday, Nov 14, 2007
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Firemen yet to get protective gear

Staff Reporter

A month has elapsed since 17 fire-fighters were injured dousing a blaze

Fire Department to send proposal to Government in a month
Five fire-fighters still undergoing treatment

BANGALORE: A month has passed since 17 fire-fighters sustained burns while putting out a blaze in the city without any protective gear. Despite promises that protective jackets would be procured soon, the Fire and Emergency Services Department is yet to petition the Government.

Inspector-General of Police and Additional Director Fire and Emergency Services C. Chandra Shekar told a press conference on Tuesday that it would take one more month for his department to send the proposal to the State Government.

On October 13, the firemen and a police sub-inspector were burnt badly when they were dousing flames in a dingy lubricant outlet at Nagasandra Circle. A can of thinner exploded injuring the firemen who were merely sporting helmets and gumboots.

Talking to presspersons on Tuesday, Mr. Shekar said the department was looking at the various types of fire-resistant garments available in the market that cost between Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 2 lakh. “We are looking at protective gear that is light and will help firemen. One protective gear made of aluminium can be worn for just 10 minutes. Each fire engine needs a minimum of 10 protective gears,” he said.

On the delay in approaching the Government, Mr. Shekar said the protective gear was available only in the international market.

On the condition of the 17 injured firemen, Mr. Shekar said five of them were still being treated in Mahabodhi Mallige Hospital.

Till now the expenditure for the treatment has touched Rs. 35 lakh.

While doctors have completed skin grafting on five firemen, four others will undergo a similar operation in a week. In case of fire-fighter N. Suresh, who has sustained extensive burns on his chest, both hands and lower lip, the doctors will wait for another 10 days.

When The Hindu visited a visibly weak Mr. Suresh at his hospital bed, he merely smiled when told that the Fire Department was yet to make arrangements to procure the protective gear and prevent such injuries. With both hands and part of his chest bandaged, he said he said he was relieved that the hospital bills were being taken care of by his employers. But his immediate concern was more basic. “I am unable to eat,” he said glumly.

He has had a long battle: his body suffered post-burns infection. His family was asked to stop buying him food from a nearby hotel and advised to bring home-cooked food. His wife feeds him now, a tedious task because his lip is yet to heal.

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