John Wilbert &Vikramaditya
Port Blair: The recent major fire mishap at Aerial Bay bazaar in Diglipur, North Andaman, that has drawn sharp criticism for the key disaster response force particularly allegations of professional negligence, has brought to fore the need for immediate attention of the local government towards some glaring and publicly known deficiencies in the crucial Andaman and Nicobar Police Fire Services.
Having grown over the years and considered a force to reckon with as first responders to natural disasters, the network of Fire Stations spread across these islands has mostly drawn praise from citizens in the recent years (barring a few unfortunate incidents) and the allegations into the Aerial Bay mishap appears to be serious in nature.
Shortage of manpower, delay in filling up of sanctioned posts, declining number of technical officers in the senior rank owing to superannuations and delay in departmental promotions, ageing fleet of vehicles and equipments, hurdles in execution of modernization plans are among the major issues that has started taking a toll on the force.
As per reports, the A & N Police Fire Service is currently running short of around 400 staff in various cadres. Retirement of many senior officers this year has left a void in the technical arm in the crucial agency. Delay in filling up such posts holding Departmental Promotional Committee (DPC) meetings has become the need of the hour.
It is also learnt that many other officials in the Fire Services Department are due to attain superannuation in the year 2024 and shortage of staff will only add to the work burden on the existing pool of staff adversely hampering the functioning of the agency that is directly related to public lives and property.
As per reliable information, the Fire Station at Diglipur is currently running short of staff owing to delay in filling up of sanctioned vacancies, routine transfer and postings, retirement of staff etc and the limited number of fire fighters presently posted at the Fire Station (headed by an Assistant Sub Inspector) are facing countless problems in carrying out their mandated duties.
The Fire Station that covers a massive jurisdiction of around 900 sq.kms and a population of over 1 lakh including remotely located hamlets, forest areas etc presently has 3 Fire Tenders, one Ambulance and one Utility Vehicle. However, delay in timely maintenance of existing vehicles and equipments, execution of modernization plans is reportedly caused mainly by staff crunch at the Station and seeks immediate attention of the senior officers in the Andaman and Nicobar Police Fire Services.
“The Andaman and Nicobar Police Fire Services has 24 Fire Stations located in different parts of this geographically distributed island territory. But due to acute shortage of staff, most of these Stations are being headed by Constable-ranked staff. With an approximate staff strength of nearly 400, lack of promotions, delay in filling up of sanctioned vacancies etc have been long troubling the hardworking employees of the department. Allocating crucial tasks supervised in the technical wing of the headquarters of the Fire Services (lying or left vacant after retirements) to competent and eligible officials, at least on Current Duty Charge, can probably be one immediate way-out to ensure proper supervision of Fire Stations located in outer islands, address their concerns on priority basis, keep a track on timely execution of modernization plans as also get staffing issues resolved ensuring proper coordination with higher officials in the Andaman and Nicobar Police Fire Services. We just hope the authorities concerned pay timely attention in this regard. However, as a team we are a committed force. We’re fire-proof and each one of us give their best to maintain the hard-earned repute of the agency, despite prevailing challenges,” said a firefighter, who doesn’t wish to be named.
Regarding shortage of manpower when contacted the SP of Fire Services, Varsha Sharma told Andaman Sheekha Daily that the department is well aware of this issue.
She added that the Department is working on the recruitment process, which is taking some time to complete. “Soon positive results will come,” she added.
Regarding the allegations of professional negligence during the Aerial Bay fire accident she said that the matter is under investigation. “Our team is collecting reports,” she added.
