Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
Firefighters in the city bravely rush to every fire incident, risking their own lives. However, despite Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation(CSMC) having a multi-crore budget, these personnel are allegedly not receiving the necessary safety equipment, forcing them to perform their duties with a constant sense of danger. Alarmingly, for a city with a population nearing 1.7 million, only 140 firefighters are currently active.
The increasing number of high-rise buildings, marketplaces, industrial areas, and crowded public spaces in the city constantly pose a fire risk. Recently, on the Solapur-Dhule highway, firefighters promptly responded to a fire at a politician's hotel and successfully rescued four individuals trapped inside. As the fire department prepares to observe Fire Safety Week from April 14th, the dedication of its personnel serves as a strong pillar of safety for the citizens. However, firefighters within the department have expressed their concern, stating that the administration should also prioritize their safety.
534 fire incidents in the past year
According to Chief Fire Officer Sampat Bhagat, between April 2024 and March 2025, the city and its surrounding areas witnessed 534 fire incidents, of which 26 were severe. Additionally, firefighters tirelessly worked in over 60 incidents to recover bodies of individuals who had drowned in lakes and dams.
Burden on 140 personnel
The fire department consists of 4 senior officers and 40 permanent firefighters. To supplement this, there are 100 contract firefighters trained by private institutions.
Limited resources
The department currently has ten fire tenders with a capacity of 5,000 litres each. There are five fire stations within the city, and the department is also responsible for assisting Jalna and Beed in critical situations.
How they operate
> Upon receiving a call, the fire tender is dispatched within a minute.
> Before leaving, the concerned officers gather information about the route and potential local obstacles.
> Fire extinguishing techniques are determined based on smoke levels, gas spread, and building structure.
> Communication is maintained with trapped individuals to provide psychological support, and coordination with other agencies is ensured.
Challenges
> Narrow roads and encroachments often hinder timely arrival at the scene.
> There is a significant shortage of large-sized hoses and foam.
> The wait for smaller fire tenders continues.
>High-quality helmets are not available.
> A team of six personnel operates on each fire tender, and adequate safety kits are needed for everyone. Fire-resistant suits suitable for close-range firefighting in severe blazes are lacking.