Mumbai fire department's sorry state of affairs makes city a vulnerable death trap

On Sunday morning, the fifth fire in nearly a week was reported from Mumbai’s Lower Parel area. The fire was put out quickly, but it highlights several factors that raise questions regarding the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s commitment to the city when it comes to fire safety norms.

On the midnight of December 28, 2017, fourteen people were killed and 16 others injured after a huge fire broke out in a restaurant at Kamala Mills. This was followed by fires at godowns in Nagpada, a fire in Marol that killed a family of four, a fire in a film studio in Kanjurmarg that took place yesterday (January 6), and this morning’s fire.

A DNA report earlier this week also highlighted the strength of Mumbai’s fire brigade. If the current staff strength is considered, then each officer must inspect over 1,100 buildings every six months — that is if he does not take a single day of leave. It means every officer must inspect six buildings a day without taking a single day's break.

Another report by DNA found that 4,647 high-rises inspected by the city’s fire department had not adhered to fire safety norms. They only complied after legal notices were sent to them. A report by Mid-Day also highlighted how KEM Hospital, the city’s busiest civic hospital was a walking deathtrap, with non-functional fire extinguishers.

When you draw parallels between Mumbai’s fire department to London’s and New York’s, London has 104 fire stations, while New York has 255. In comparison, Mumbai in comparison has 34. When it comes to fire engines, London has 157 and New York has 198. Mumbai in comparison has none.

Mumbai, however, has 115 fire trucks, while London and New York have 11 and 143 respectively. As per information, the fundamental difference between a fire engine and a fire truck is that an engine only pumps out water to douse a fire. A truck, on the other hand, has equipment such as ladders.

As for ambulances that are given as part of rescue operations, Mumbai has 15 ambulances in all. New York in comparison has 234 morning and evening services, and 146 overnight, while the London fire department has teamed up with the city's ambulance services to work together in case of a fire. And while New York is more populated than Mumbai (it is second in the list, while Mumbai is seventh), London sits as the 25th most populous city in the world.

When it comes to budgets, the BMC in 2017-18 financial year allocated Rs 195 crore for the fire department. Rs 251.45 crore was allotted the previous year for the same department. The New York fire department’s annual budget was approximately $1.8 billion last year, while the London fire department allotted £389.2 million during the same period.

With the fire at Kamala Mills turning into a political battle between the BJP and the Shiv Sena over the incompetence of the BMC over strengthening the fire department, ensuring fire safety norms are maintained, and preventing another such incident, one hopes that Mumbai will witness a turnaround.

Sadly, that day isn’t anywhere close.