They risk their lives to rescue others during disasters and terror attacks, but Mumbai's firemen are a disappointed lot.
They rue the lack of proper safety gears and insurance cover. A 42-year-old fireman, who was involved in the rescue operation during the 26/11 terror attack, is lying in a hospital after he developed breathless while evacuating people affected by a gas leak at Mumbai Port Trust this morning.
"I have been involved in several major rescue operations like 26/11 attack, Behrampada fire and others but had never fallen ill. In my 15 years of career in the Fire Department, this is first time I have been in hospital," the fireman, who requested anonymity, said.
"We were in a fire ambulance to bring gas leak victims to hospitals. When we reached the port, we felt a very strong smell of the gas and started developing breathlessness and were brought to the hospital for treatment," he said.
"The department needs adequate equipment, especially breathing gears, during such incidents. Despite risking our lives we do not have insurance cover," he bemoaned.
Another fire department staffer (27) said "since past several years we have been demanding safety equipment for all firemen. It is sad that all of them do not get them. Procuring essential equipment and insurance cover are needs of the hour."
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