The Manipur Fire Service was on Wednesday given 11 (Eleven) new fire tender trucks, the event of which was held at the main gate of Khuman Lampak in Imphal East on Wednesday. The vehicles included 9 (Nine) ‘foam Co2 and Crash Tender’ along with 2 ‘water bouser’.
The newly launched vehicles were also demonstrated at the venue.
Addressing the event, Chief Minster N Biren Singh appealed to the people to cooperate with the fire department and keep the streets open for the fire trucks to enter. Without cooperation from the public, the government will be helpless in serving the people even while extinguishing unwanted fire in congested residential areas, the CM said.
Biren informed that, at present, there are 64 vehicles for the Manipur fire service in the entire state, including small and large vehicles.
Talking about the 11 fire tender vehicles with sophisticated new technology, including nine ‘foam Co2 and Crash Tender’ along with two ‘water bowser’, Biren said that due to the alarming global warming situation caused by deforestation, most of the rivers run out of water during the dry season and in the city area most of the community ponds, drains and other water sources have been decreasing drastically. Hence, the need for new technology fire trucks, the CM added.
The CM also pointed out that roads have become narrower due to land encroachment and questioned how a fire tender truck could enter such narrow roads.
Stating that the government cannot take necessary steps to extinguish unwanted fire without the support of the public, Biren appealed to the local bodies, Meira Paibies to take initiatives in order to save space in streets for a fire tender truck to help during emergencies.
Biren also appealed to the people to conserve community ponds for each locality which will help the fire fighter to get additional water at the time of need.
Director of Manipur Fire Service, Themthing Ngashangva, said the two water bowsers are the first of its kind in Manipur and such water bowsers with new technology is much needed in the city while extinguishing unwanted fire. The vehicle has a capacity of 12,000 KL and it can pump around 300 litres of water per minutes, he added.
The foam Co2 and crash tender is mainly for use to extinguish fire caused by inflammable substances, including unwanted incidents occurred at petrol pumps or oil depot, Themthing said and added that the two equipment will be vital in extinguishing fire.
He further said Manipur fire service has altogether 80 proximity fire suits.
The 11 vehicles will be distributed to 10 different districts of the state, including Imphal, Thoubal, Moreh, Bishnupur, Tamenglong, Jiribam, Senapati, Kangpokpi, Ukhrul and Churachandpur.
As a part of the launching ceremony Manipur Fire Service also demonstrated a fire extinguish drill in front of the dignitaries.
MP Rajya Sabha, Leishemba Sanajaoba; MLAs L Susildro Singh; H Dingo Singh; S Ranjan Singh; K Robindro Singh and L Rameshwor were present along with DGP P Doungel and ADGP Clay Khongsai.
