No lifeguard duty: BMC bows to firemen’s demand

After their one-day strike on Wednesday was called off, firemen met mayor Shraddha Jadhav and additional municipal commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar on Friday, where most of their demands were met.

Speaking on behalf of the firemen, Sharad Rao, president, Municipal Mazdoor Union, said, “It was a good meeting. Mhaiskar said that on days of high tide and weekends, only 24 firemen should be sent for a few hours to the beaches. She has also ordered an inquiry into who created the misunderstanding among firemen.”

Rao further said, “As far as the curbing of malaria work is concerned, she said it was not the job of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) or the fire brigade.”

He also said that the civic body had admitted to a delay in getting uniforms for the firemen. By August 15 the uniforms and other equipment will be given to them. Vacant posts will also be filled in immediately, and the conservancy department would handle fires at dumping grounds.

Jadhav said firemen would be deployed at beaches only in case of a high alert. “Also, the issue of 1,594 firefighters’ promotions and vacancies will be resolved.

“Firemen will be sent only to old mills that require the use of snorkels. Small fires at such as one at dumping grounds will be handled by the solid waste management department and not the fire brigade,” she said.