KARACHI, Jan 6: Of the forty-two fire tenders currently at the disposal of the Civil Defence and Fire Brigade Department, only 23 are somewhat in working condition which is insufficient to cater to the needs of a city like Karachi, it was learnt reliably.

Although the number of fire stations in the city have been increased to 21 but all of them are facing shortage of manpower as new appointments have not been made for the last 10 years.

According to sources, a station must have at least 50 to 60 staff, but there had been a number of vacant posts and the existing staff had to meet the requirements at all costs thus forcing them to work long hours. Besides the equipment provided to fire fighters is also said to be of poor quality.

During visits to some of the stations, staff members informed that besides poor quality uniforms they were not being provided with proper safety kits, shockproof shoes thus putting them at high risk of a mishap during action.

According to them, the low standard air masks seize to function after some time and they have to use handkerchiefs to protect their faces. Due to non-availability of proper equipment for cutting cemented walls, shutters, iron gates, etc the firemen have to do every thing manually, which causes loss of time, human lives and properties, they added.

The only, 102 feet long, snorkel for the entire city is also out of order and in case of fire in a high-rise the department has no alternate equipment, it was revealed.

“If a fire tender gets stuck in traffic or narrow streets the situation becomes more serious, particularly when there are more than one fire incidents”, told a fireman.

It was suggested that there must be at least two well-equipped fire stations in each town. Some of the employees pointed out that the use of fire tenders for draining out rain or sewerage water damaged the equipment.

The staff also stressed the need for some sort of appreciation for outstanding employees so as to motivate all to perform well and urged the masses to cooperate with the fire fighters in case of an emergency.

However, the EDO concerned was not available for comments over the entire situation.