Move for satellite fire outposts in five cities

The Kerala Fire and Rescue Services wing has proposed the opening of satellite fire outposts (SFOs) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kochi, Thrissur and Kozhikode to facilitate quick response to fire or rescue calls.

Kerala Fire and Rescue Services Commandant General P Chandrasekharan said heavy traffic on the congested and narrow roads during daytime and the populous nature of the major cities in the State made it difficult to reduce the response time.

The ideal solution is to establish more fire and rescue services stations, which calls for heavy investment, he told a meeting organised by the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Chandrasekharan urged the industry and organisations to join hands with the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services for capacity building and for reducing the response time in attending to the calls for help in times of fire mishaps and disasters.

Industrial organisations and associations should join hands with the Fire and Rescue Services Department for commissioning the 36 SFOs at a cost of ₹15.12 crore and for the purchase of aerial platform ladders or turntable ladders, he said.

Chandrasekharan requested the Kerala Chamber to act as a catalyst in bringing the other chambers of commerce in the State, the Credai etc together to usher in the process of private-public partnership for capacity building in the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services wing.