Mumbai: The Mumbai fire brigade is set to get a new 81-meter long hydraulic platform ladder to be used in fire fighting operations in high-rise buildings. It will be brought to India from Finland and is expected to arrive by February 2017.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has spent Rs 15 crore on this hydraulic platform which can reach up to a 25 storey building. Twelve officials of the Fire Brigade took a trip to Finland and received training for operating the ladder. HD Parab, deputy chief Fire officer said, "Five of the twelve firemen returned on Sunday. Five other officials from the operation side of the team, who carry out fire fighting operations on field, are undergoing training along with two engineers. It is a week-long training program."
Presently, the fire brigade has one 70 meter long and one 90 meter long hydraulic platform ladder, stationed at Wadala and Byculla, respectively. It plans to station one ladder at each of the six command centres of the fire brigade in Mumbai. The new ladder will be stationed either at the Borivali Command centre or the Marol Command centre and is expected to cater to the western suburbs.
BMC purchased a 90 meter long ladder from Finland in July last year which can reach a 30 storey building. The 70 meter long ladder, procured in 2010, can reach up to 22-storey building. Mr. Parab said, "The cost of the ladder will depend on the Euro rate, but it is expected to cost around Rs 15 crore including the customs duty charges and shipment. Its shipment takes a month.”
