KARACHI, June 22: At a time when even private security agencies have been using wireless system, the fire department working under the city government is limping behind without wireless communication system, it has been learnt.
Though there is no government restriction on the use of wireless sets at present, but wireless system withdrawn by the interior ministry in mid 90’s had not been restored so far, officials of the fire department said.
The fire department, for which an efficient communication is a pre-requisite, pays Rs0.1 million per month for using a rented communication system, the chief fire officer told Dawn.
The fire service was deprived of the wireless communication system during the tenure of interior minister Nasarullah Babar, fire officials said. The wireless system of the local power supply corporation was also withdrawn during his tenure, but was restored within a few days, when certain areas experienced power outages, told an official of the fire department.
The action was taken on the pretext of worsening law and order situation at that time, however, the issue had been kept in cold storage, fire officials said.
In event of any disaster, the central fire station remains unaware of the developments at the spot, unless a vehicle reports back to the base.
The rented communication system has been installed only in 20 per cent of the fire brigade vehicles, while dialling it itself is a time consuming process, Kazim Ali chief fire officer told Dawn.
After years of silence, the issue has again been put under the rug, as the finance department regrets to provide funds citing cash flow problems, a senior fire official informed.
Working without wireless communication tops the list of problems faced by the fire department.
Other than the fire fighting operations, the fire brigade is supposed to carry out rescue work even in case of minor collapse of any building. The department is also responsible for making arrangements against any natural disaster like floods, rains and earthquakes. Disposal of toxic and dangerous material and rescue of the drowning victims are some other responsibilities entrusted with the fire brigade.
However, without a basic communication system in place, all the above mentioned responsibilities seems to be a daunting task for the department.
Apart from the wireless communication, the fire department has a helpline ‘16’, which has not been much publicised. Majority of the citizens remains unaware of its existence.
The fire department plans to have a central fire control room on the lines of police helpline, but with the present state of affairs it is seems a wishful thinking on part of the planners, a fire official remarked.
