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Thiruvananthapuram: As part of comprehensive modernization of the fire and rescue force in the state, the government has cleared procurement of equipment worth Rs 65 crore.

To begin with, the department has completed the procedures to procure 50 scuba diving equipment and swimsuits and 10 pneumatic lifting bags, at an expense of Rs 2crore.

“This year, the government has sanctioned Rs 65 crore for the modernization of the fire and rescue department,” director general of fire and rescue services A Hemachandran said.

The scuba diving equipment was included in the green book (that was given quick clearance to avoid delay in procurement) and the procedure for the purchase have been completed by finalizing the bidder. The contract has been awarded to Chennai-based Mtandt Limited, at a cost of Rs 1.54 crore.

The procedure for procuring pneumatic lifting bags, required for the rescue of persons who are trapped in the debris during building collapse or landslides, have also been completed. The tender has been awarded to M/s Jyotech Engineering and Marketing Consultants, at a cost of Rs 48.95 lakh.

In addition, the department plans to procure 1,500 firefighting suits, 220 breathing apparatus, 25 first response vehicles, 15 water tenders, two turntable ladders and five emergency fire tender vehicles.

In the wake of the floods that showed the necessity of training for undertaking rescue operations in water, the government is also considering a proposal for upgrading the scuba diving training institute under fire and rescue services.

The fire and rescue services department estimates that there are approximately 1,600 drowning deaths in the state every year. At present, the officers in the fire and rescue department are being trained in scuba diving in the scuba rescue training centre at Fort Kochi.

The department has submitted a proposal under which the institute be upgraded so that it can train the fire force officers in advance training in the situations like the recent floods. The idea is modelled on the Orissa experience where the state had set up a similar institute under the fire and rescue operations department after the floods of 1999 killed thousands.

At present, the department has 124 fire stations with 4,500 staff at its disposal in the field in the state.

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