Play safe this Deepavali

CHENNAI: With just a day left for Deepavali, firemen of the TN Fire and Rescue Services got into the act of spreading awareness about fire safety measures among school students. ‘Drilling’ the message at the action-packed demonstration jointly organised by the Velammal Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Mogappair, and the TN Fire and Rescue Services, the fire fighters put up a savvy show for the students to create awareness about the safety measures that can help them celebrate a safe Deepavali, as well as the steps they have to take to ensure a quick response.As part of the demonstration, students witnessed a mock drill that had firemen using the Bronto Skylift, a cutting-edge vehicle designed in Finland, which can be used to rescue persons trapped in high-rise buildings. In addition, the fire personnel also demonstrated evacuation methods, rescue methods and the quick action taken by emergency response vehicles. As part of the event, the student fire safety brigade of the school also demonstrated the simple rescue methods that could be used to save lives during fire accidents.Addressing the media on the sidelines of the event,  Bholanath, Director General, TN Fire and Rescue Services, said that the event was part of the department’s initiative to spread awareness about fire safety among school and college students.Referring to safety measures taken in the city, he said that while there were nearly 50 fire vehicles in the city, 20 vehicles had been mobilised from outside the city to be stationed in vulnerable areas as a preventive measure to ensure quick response. According to N Priya, Divisional Officer, Central Division, TN fire and Rescue Services, vehicles have  been stationed in 23 vulnerable areas, mainly hutment and densely populated areas, including T Nagar, West Mambalam, Purasawakkam, Koyambedu, Nungambakkam and Ambattur. “The entire strength of the fire and rescue services has been mobilised to reduce the response time,” she added.According to her, last year, the control room of the TN Fire and Rescue Services department registered 191 calls from the entire state, including 43 calls from the city for small fires. According to sources in the control room, 34 Metro Water lorries have been mobilised to meet water requirements in the city in case of fire emergencies. As part of the awareness initiative, the department has reached out to about 15 schools in central division, she added.