firemen

Pune Municipal Corporation

PMC

Prashant Rainpise

chief of fire department

Ashwini Kadam

PMC Workers Union

Shriniwas Kandul

Bhavani Peth

The city’sare being utterly disregarded by the). So much so that the civic administration forgot about helmets while approving order for uniforms. Now, the corporation has decided to buy helmets from the disaster management department. Interestingly, firemen received uniforms and gumboots that were sanctioned in 2010-11, last year. The last order of boots — a fresh pair is needed every year — was given a decade ago.“The department did not get uniforms on time. We placed a demand with the store department for uniforms in 2010-11 but got them last year. Now, the proposal has been passed to provide new uniforms but there is no mention of helmets. Currently, we are falling short of helmets,” said, actingOn Tuesday, the standing committee sanctioned the proposal worth Rs 37 lakh. “From now on, we are going to provide all necessary things to the fire department on time,” claimed, chairman of the committee.There are nearly four to five fire calls aday and firemen end up needing a new uniform every year. Therefore, every year, the department sends a purchase note to the store department in January.Two months ago, firemen conducted an agitation under the flag offollowing which the civic body made a financial provision to purchase uniforms.“It is true that there was a delay in delivering the uniforms. However, it was due to the late demand note. They are also going to discuss about helmet specifications with the disaster management department following which the helmets will be provided,” said, superintendent of the store department.The city hosts 11 fire stations with 510 firemen. The main station, located at, has a total of 40 firemen. There are nine fire fighters at work daily in each shift.