Staff shortage leaves fire stations troubled

KOCHI: They risk their life for others but when it comes to their own, their pleas fall on deaf ears. The fire fighters of both Thrikkakara and Tripunithura fire and rescue stations have to fight not only the risks to their life but also the callousness of the authorities. Though the fire stations were started with much fanfare, they are now  running like unrecognised entities.Excise Minister K Babu who took up this issue long ago said, “I am trying to solve the long pending issue for quite a long time. Four other fire stations in Kerala — Kanjikode, Perinthalmanna, Nedumangad and Idukki are suffering from the same plight. When the pressure to open a fire station mounts the authorities would give the nod without creating enough posts. “Let’s hope for the best,” he said.The Thrikkakara Fire and Rescue Station was started with much hype in 2000. It should have been a super fire station but many impediments came in its way. Inadequate infrastructure and manpower have landed it in deep trouble. “It has been almost 11 years and we are yet to get the sanction. The recently started 20 other fire stations, including Eloor, has got sanction already,” said sources with the department.The situation at Tripunithura Fire Station is no different. They are running the fire station with 6 firemen instead of 24. “We do not have a station officer, drivers and a clerk. Besides, each staff has to contribute `100 every month to clean the fire station and its premises. We have taken up this issue with every ministry that have come and gone but in vain,” said sources with Tripunithura fire station.“We need 24 firemen, but we have only six. We need 1 station officer, 1 assistant station officer, 4 leading fireman, 1 mechanic and 1 clerk. As the sanction is pending, we can’t recruit staff. Hence the staff have been deputed from other fire stations — Kothamangalam, Angamaly, etc. “The staff shortage puts the rest in peril. We have to risk our life. There were times when we worked without adequate manpower. Be it a fire fighter, officer or a driver, we work together in case of emergencies. But still our grievances go unnoticed,” they said.