07 July 2008
06 July 2008
Article on Mysore Fire Brigade in Star of Mysore
FIRE BRIGADE
From Star of Mysore-Online
The Saraswathipuram Fire Station in Mysore is the oldest Fire Station in the State. During the British rule, this Fire Station was under the control of the old Madras region. It is housed in a heritage building built in the year 1942 at Saraswathipuram.
At present, there are three Fire Stations within Mysore city limits at Saraswathipuram, on Bangalore-Mysore Highway in Bannimantap and in the RBI premises. The Station at Saraswathipuram is the main Regional Office covering the districts of not only Mysore but also Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Hassan.
The Fire Station at Saraswathipuram is equipped with two water spraying engines, one tanker to carry water, one to spray mist based on German technology mounted inside a Jeep. There is even an Enfield motorcycle fitted with German fire fighting technology with Carbon dioixide to douse small fires at short notices. Similarly, the Bannimantap Fire Station also consists of a water tender, a multipurpose tender and a water tanker. The RBI Fire Station consists two water tenders. The water tender has the capacity to pump four to five thousands liters of water and the water tanker has the capacity to store 10 thousands of liters of water.
Speaking to Star of Mysore, Regional Fire Officer H.S. Varada Rajan said that they are in the process of acquiring an Advanced Rescue Van which is equipped with essential equipments like steel cutting machine, tree cutting machine and concrete cutter, required during emergencies. He announced that fire fighting personnel do not involve only in dousing fires, but also in saving lives of people who are in danger. Fire fighting personnel are always ready to rescue lives of people in any situation who are in danger, like in collapse of buildings, accidental drowning and other life threatening situations.
Presently, there are 37 firemen working at the Saraswathipuram Fire Station, though the actual requirement is 51, while at the Bannimantap Station, 22 men are working though the actual requirement is 37 persons and in the RBI station 20 firemen are working where the actual need is 27. The remaining vacancies are in the process of being filled up, as the new recruits are currently undergoing training, said Varada Rajan.
Residential quarters have also been provided to these firemen which are in the premises itself. A fireman cannot leave the headquarters without obtaining permission of his higher officer. He should always be prepared not just during his working hours, but also all the day and night when he is present there.
Awareness Programmes:
Fire fighting personnel not only save the lives in critical moments, but also create awareness among the people by holding public demonstrations and giving lectures in schools, colleges, Government offices, Departments, summer camps, NSS camps, NCC camps and to Police trainees.
How to act in fire accidents:
Find, Inform, Restrict, and Extinguish (FIRE) are the keywords to be remembered in a fire accident. Soon after receiving an emergency call, the person in the control room informs the nearest fire station. When the fire station is informed, the fire engine driver immediately takes the fire engine outside and another person will start ringing the alarm bells to alert other fire men to join the fire engine. They always carry the topography of the city and town plan ready on hand to visit the spot. Fire fighting personnel will board the fire engine, after wearing their safety guards like helmets, arm guards, long shoes etc.
While sharing his experience that occurred recently, Varada Rajan said that in KR Nagar four men got down into a manhole and became unconscious. At that time, he luckily happened to be in KR Nagar, when somebody called him and informed about the mishap. He immediately ordered the locals to bring oxygen cylinders from hospitals and release the oxygen into the manhole. They were successful in taking three of them outside, but unfortunately, one man succumbed.
STUDENTS ASSOCIATION OF FIRE EDUCATION (SAFE)
This is a unique program of training the children, it is run only in Karnataka.
Karnataka State Fire Services Department started this program with the main aim of developing fire preventive habits among students by imparting training to the boys and girls (middle and high school students).
This is a unique program of training the children, it is run only in Karnataka.
Karnataka State Fire Services Department started this program with the main aim of developing fire preventive habits among students by imparting training to the boys and girls (middle and high school students).
The modus operandi of SAFE is to identify and adopt a few schools and enrol students as the members of SAFE. The Department arranges free training for the members of SAFE, in their school premises. A day in a week, fortnight or month will be identified to introduce the theory part of the subject 'fire'. With the help of the school teaching staff, free slots will be identified for practical training in identification of portable extinguishers, judicious use of portable extinguishers, methods of summoning fire services, do's and don'ts in an emergency, fire drills, rescue methodology and evacuation drill. This training may last for one year. After this training certificates are issued to the members. There are 16 different schools which are actively participating in this program. A program to train the trainers i.e., school teachers in basic fire prevention, fire fighting and evacuation who in turn train the members of SAFE, is also designed.
Bylaws for SAFE
Members willing to join the association should be bonafide students of a school in the city.
They should remain in the Students' Association of Fire Education for one year. They will be issued a certificate by the Dept. by the end of the year. They should attend the training program once a month regularly in the afternoon after classes in their schools. The training will be conducted by the Karnataka State Fire Services Department's instructors, at the school premises. The head of the educational institution will select a teacher and nominate him/her as 'Fire Warden' of the SAFE, who will take care of the attendance and other matters of the Association. Members of SAFE are not eligible for a certificate if the attendance is less than 75%.
The members of the SAFE will carry a cloth arm band (SAFE) on the right arm. Members should attend functions organised by the Department in respect of fire safety. Members of SAFE may need to participate in the march past during Republic Day and Independence Day parades, and also during Fire Service Week celebrations. (14th April to 20th April). Competition of various types for the members, including inter / intra school of SAFE will be held from time to time, to introduce competitive spirit. Each school shall have a Captain nominated from among the members by the Department called 'SAFE-Captain'. A SAFE-Captain may need to attend meetings convened by Director/Commandant of the Training College/Chief Fire Officer at any convenient location. During the training period, the Department will arrange a visit of the members of SAFE to any one fire station in Bangalore city.
For Fire Emergency Dial - 101
In case of emergency contact fire stations:
Saraswathipuram - 2540970, Bannimantap - 2495101, RBI - 2582103, Mysore Regional Fire Officer (RFO) - 2540116, website: www.karnatakafireservices.gov.in
04 July 2008
Fire in Mahalakshmi racecourse building
The Hindu
Mumbai: A part of the Mahalakshmi racecourse building in Mumbai went up in flames on Thursday evening. There was no casualty. No injuries
“The entire members’ stand on the top floor of the two-storey building on a side of the racecourse ground is gutted. Fortunately, nobody was injured because the stand was locked,” an official of the Royal Western India Turf Club that owns and runs the racecourse, told The Hindu.
He said the fire could have been caused by an electric short circuit. The fire started around 8 p.m. Twelve fire engines and five water tankers were rushed to the spot in response to the call, graded number two. Scores of firemen battled the huge blaze for hours. The Turf Club is virtually empty these days as its 1,200 horses and the staff have shifted to Pune, where the new racing season is to begin shortly.
Mumbai: A part of the Mahalakshmi racecourse building in Mumbai went up in flames on Thursday evening. There was no casualty. No injuries
“The entire members’ stand on the top floor of the two-storey building on a side of the racecourse ground is gutted. Fortunately, nobody was injured because the stand was locked,” an official of the Royal Western India Turf Club that owns and runs the racecourse, told The Hindu.
He said the fire could have been caused by an electric short circuit. The fire started around 8 p.m. Twelve fire engines and five water tankers were rushed to the spot in response to the call, graded number two. Scores of firemen battled the huge blaze for hours. The Turf Club is virtually empty these days as its 1,200 horses and the staff have shifted to Pune, where the new racing season is to begin shortly.
02 July 2008
One child killed, nine hurt in roof crash
Staff Correspondent
The roof of the private school collapsed within hours after the building was inaugurated
BELLARY: Santosh studying in X standard died on the spot and nine others, including three students and two teachers, when the mud roof of their school building collapsed on Tuesday within hours after its inauguration. The incident occurred around 3.30 p.m. at Kenchappa High School, run by Harpahanahalli-based TMAE Society. “But for the break, the casualty would have been high. Almost all the students, numbering over 45, had come out of the building when the roof collapsed killing one boy and injuring nine others,” an eyewitness told The Hindu. According to police, the management rented the renovated building, measuring about 30 ft. x 20 ft., from Basappa at Rs. 20,000 a year. The roof, which was laid using bamboo, bamboo mat and mud, collapsed when a few workers were still filling the mud. The high school was unaided while the primary and higher primary schools run by the institution was aided, according to N.A. Thippeswamy, Deputy Director of Public Instruction. On getting information, the police officials, accompanied by Fire and Emergency Services personnel, rushed to the spot, and launched a search operation. All the injured were rushed to the VIMS Hospital. The names of the admitted children were given as Usha (X standard), Parshuram (IX standard), and M. Sunita (teacher). Three workers – Ramu, Shankar and Sharief – were undergoing treatment. Tourism Minister G. Janardhan Reddy, Bellary MLA G. Somashekar Reddy, zilla panchayat president Pushparekha, Mayor Shobha Narayan and Deputy Mayor Hasina Bi, in-charge Deputy Commissioner C.G. Bettasurmath, and zilla panchayat chief executive officer Anthony Mandonca came to the spot and supervised the search operations. Mr. Reddy expressed concern over the substandard school buildings selected by the private institutions.
“I have given instructions to the Deputy Commissioner and the Additional Superintendent of Police to inquire into the matter and cancel the licence of the school besides suspending the officials concerned who failed to discharge their duties properly,” he said.
The roof of the private school collapsed within hours after the building was inaugurated
BELLARY: Santosh studying in X standard died on the spot and nine others, including three students and two teachers, when the mud roof of their school building collapsed on Tuesday within hours after its inauguration. The incident occurred around 3.30 p.m. at Kenchappa High School, run by Harpahanahalli-based TMAE Society. “But for the break, the casualty would have been high. Almost all the students, numbering over 45, had come out of the building when the roof collapsed killing one boy and injuring nine others,” an eyewitness told The Hindu. According to police, the management rented the renovated building, measuring about 30 ft. x 20 ft., from Basappa at Rs. 20,000 a year. The roof, which was laid using bamboo, bamboo mat and mud, collapsed when a few workers were still filling the mud. The high school was unaided while the primary and higher primary schools run by the institution was aided, according to N.A. Thippeswamy, Deputy Director of Public Instruction. On getting information, the police officials, accompanied by Fire and Emergency Services personnel, rushed to the spot, and launched a search operation. All the injured were rushed to the VIMS Hospital. The names of the admitted children were given as Usha (X standard), Parshuram (IX standard), and M. Sunita (teacher). Three workers – Ramu, Shankar and Sharief – were undergoing treatment. Tourism Minister G. Janardhan Reddy, Bellary MLA G. Somashekar Reddy, zilla panchayat president Pushparekha, Mayor Shobha Narayan and Deputy Mayor Hasina Bi, in-charge Deputy Commissioner C.G. Bettasurmath, and zilla panchayat chief executive officer Anthony Mandonca came to the spot and supervised the search operations. Mr. Reddy expressed concern over the substandard school buildings selected by the private institutions.
“I have given instructions to the Deputy Commissioner and the Additional Superintendent of Police to inquire into the matter and cancel the licence of the school besides suspending the officials concerned who failed to discharge their duties properly,” he said.
From the Hindu
3 firemen injured in blaze at industrial estate
Expressindia
Express News ServicePosted online: Tuesday , June 03, 2008 at 02:14:39
3 firemen injured in blaze at industrial estate
Express News Service
Posted online: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 at 0214 hrs IST
Mumbai, June 02A major fire broke out in one of the units at an industrial estate in Lalbaug on Monday afternoon. Three firemen were injured during the fire-fighting operations.
The fire broke out in one of the galas in the old Kamani mill compound around 1.30 pm. “The oil mill is shut since 1995 and there are eight to 10 galas in it that have been sub-leased. Edible oil was stored in one of the galas. There is also a garment gala, a studio, shaving brush packaging unit, interiors company and a mineral water packaging unit. The cause of the fire is not yet known,” said DCP D K Phadtare, Zone V.
The industrial estate is adjacent to Peru Chawl. “Peru Chawl has been sold to a private builder,” said DCP D K Phadtare, Zone V.
It took more than two hours to put out the fire. “These may be unauthorised galas. There are many lofts. The mill is a 100 x 120 sq ft area without any fire safety measures in place. The exact loss of property will take time to assess,” said Chief Fire Officer A V Sawant.
A Fire department official said assistant fire officer Barahaat and two others — Krushant Kamble and Padmakar Ragunath from Sewree fire station — were taken to KEM hospital. “Barahaat fell from a makeshift shaft and fractured his hand. The other two have bruises on their back,” the official said.
Residents of Peru Chawl, on hearing the news of the fire, ran out with some of their belongings and cooking gas cylinders. “We had just finished our lunch and were about to lie down when we saw the smoke coming out,” said Shobha Shelar, a resident.
“I lost everything. Lights worth Rs 2 lakh and other valuables are charred now,” said Chanda Hublikar, one of the sub-tenants of Kamani mill.
“Khimchand Chawla, a tenant on the mill land, sub-leased the land to the present gala owners. We called up his son, he informed us that Khimchand was admitted in KEM hospital. But when we went to KEM, we learnt that he was shifted to a private hospital. Till late evening, we failed to get in touch with him,” said Senior Police Inspector Ramesh Bhikulal Poman of Kalachowkey Police Station.
The Chawlas could not be reached for comment.
Adjacent to the Kamani mill are two huge godowns rented to an oil packaging unit and a printing and binding company. “The oil packaging unit has 12 huge oil containers and many lubricants packs. A major tragedy was averted. If this godown had caught fire there would have been casualties,” said Nitin Ghadik, a resident of the chawl.
Express News ServicePosted online: Tuesday , June 03, 2008 at 02:14:39
3 firemen injured in blaze at industrial estate
Express News Service
Posted online: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 at 0214 hrs IST
Mumbai, June 02A major fire broke out in one of the units at an industrial estate in Lalbaug on Monday afternoon. Three firemen were injured during the fire-fighting operations.
The fire broke out in one of the galas in the old Kamani mill compound around 1.30 pm. “The oil mill is shut since 1995 and there are eight to 10 galas in it that have been sub-leased. Edible oil was stored in one of the galas. There is also a garment gala, a studio, shaving brush packaging unit, interiors company and a mineral water packaging unit. The cause of the fire is not yet known,” said DCP D K Phadtare, Zone V.
The industrial estate is adjacent to Peru Chawl. “Peru Chawl has been sold to a private builder,” said DCP D K Phadtare, Zone V.
It took more than two hours to put out the fire. “These may be unauthorised galas. There are many lofts. The mill is a 100 x 120 sq ft area without any fire safety measures in place. The exact loss of property will take time to assess,” said Chief Fire Officer A V Sawant.
A Fire department official said assistant fire officer Barahaat and two others — Krushant Kamble and Padmakar Ragunath from Sewree fire station — were taken to KEM hospital. “Barahaat fell from a makeshift shaft and fractured his hand. The other two have bruises on their back,” the official said.
Residents of Peru Chawl, on hearing the news of the fire, ran out with some of their belongings and cooking gas cylinders. “We had just finished our lunch and were about to lie down when we saw the smoke coming out,” said Shobha Shelar, a resident.
“I lost everything. Lights worth Rs 2 lakh and other valuables are charred now,” said Chanda Hublikar, one of the sub-tenants of Kamani mill.
“Khimchand Chawla, a tenant on the mill land, sub-leased the land to the present gala owners. We called up his son, he informed us that Khimchand was admitted in KEM hospital. But when we went to KEM, we learnt that he was shifted to a private hospital. Till late evening, we failed to get in touch with him,” said Senior Police Inspector Ramesh Bhikulal Poman of Kalachowkey Police Station.
The Chawlas could not be reached for comment.
Adjacent to the Kamani mill are two huge godowns rented to an oil packaging unit and a printing and binding company. “The oil packaging unit has 12 huge oil containers and many lubricants packs. A major tragedy was averted. If this godown had caught fire there would have been casualties,” said Nitin Ghadik, a resident of the chawl.
01 July 2008
Woman dies after being thrown out of rotating device
Staff Reporter
BANGALORE: For 25-year-old Ayesha, a visit to Cubbon Park on Monday proved to be her nemesis. At the Bal Bhavan’s amusement park, she was thrown out of what is commonly called “Tora Tora,” a rotating device. The impact was such that she hit her head hard against a rock and died instantaneously. Her three-year-old daughter suffered minor injuries. Ms. Ayesha came with her friend Rajesh and her daughter Namra to the Jawahar Bal Bhavan. It was closed, but the amusement park managed by a private company was open. Eyewitnesses said Ms. Ayesha, Mr. Rajesh and Namra climbed into the Tora Tora. The operator bolted each seat and started the device. Midway, the bolt on Namra’s side gave way and she was flung out. Miraculously, a bystander instinctively caught the child. Ayesha was also thrown off. She hit the railing and crashed to the ground. She died on the spot. The operator, manager and owner were arrested.
BANGALORE: For 25-year-old Ayesha, a visit to Cubbon Park on Monday proved to be her nemesis. At the Bal Bhavan’s amusement park, she was thrown out of what is commonly called “Tora Tora,” a rotating device. The impact was such that she hit her head hard against a rock and died instantaneously. Her three-year-old daughter suffered minor injuries. Ms. Ayesha came with her friend Rajesh and her daughter Namra to the Jawahar Bal Bhavan. It was closed, but the amusement park managed by a private company was open. Eyewitnesses said Ms. Ayesha, Mr. Rajesh and Namra climbed into the Tora Tora. The operator bolted each seat and started the device. Midway, the bolt on Namra’s side gave way and she was flung out. Miraculously, a bystander instinctively caught the child. Ayesha was also thrown off. She hit the railing and crashed to the ground. She died on the spot. The operator, manager and owner were arrested.
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Mother jumps to save child, dies
BANGALORE: An amusement ride with her three-year-old daughter turned tragic for a woman at Bal Bhavan in Cubbon Park on Monday. Around 1 pm, Ayesha (24), along with boyfriend Rajesh and daughter Nimra, came to Bal Bhavan. They sat in an amusement ride, Tora-Tora. Just as the ride had started, Nimra slipped from her mother's hand and fell off. A startled Ayesha jumped down to rescue the little one — a leap from over 5 feet. She fell on a railing surrounding the platform, and succumbed to a severe head injury. Little had Ayesha known that onlookers had caught her daughter. The child escaped with minor injuries. Ayesha was rushed to Bowring Hospital, where she was declared brought dead. There were not many people around, Monday being a weekday. Though Bal Bhavan's administrative office is closed on Monday, the amusement park runs throughout the week as it has been outsourced. The police took Rajesh into their custody and sent Nimra to Shishu Mandir, an organization for destitute children run by the women and child welfare department. Department secretary Shalini Rajneesh said a case of negligence has been registered against the contractor who runs the amusement park. "The contractor was asked to close the amusement park on June 13. He subsequently sent a legal notice saying he had invested Rs 30 lakh and would lose heavily if he suddenly closed the facility. But we insisted and promised some compensation, yet he didn't act on the notice. The department will take action now," she said. Authorities have decided to discontinue risky rides in the park. A compensation of Rs 1 lakh will be paid to the child. Only three months ago, Ayesha had set out from Gadag with Nimra, abandoning her husband Abdul Razak and dreaming of a happy life with Rajesh. The trio visited various places in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh before arriving in Bangalore on Monday. Rajesh said: "We arrived here this morning and planned to settle here. We set out looking for a house-keeping job and were asked to come at 2.30 pm by our prospective employer's relative. Since it was only 11 am, we thought we would do a little sight-seeing. We saw Vidhana Soudha and later came to Bal Bhavan when the tragedy took place." Rajesh was working as a cashier in a private company in Mangalore. He had then befriended Ayesha's husband. Rajesh started frequenting their house and Ayesha used to complain to him that she was being harassed by her husband. Following this, the duo decided to leave Gadag and come to Bangalore. Nimra is unaware she is left motherless.
From Times of India
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