Forum Gandhi of dna and photographer Abhinav P Kocharekar capture one day at the Chembur Fire Brigade.
Commemorationg the Fire Prevention Week, dna reporter Forum Gandhi spent a day with the men who do not think twice before risking their lives to save ours - the firefighters of Chembur Fire Brigade.
Along with photographer Abhinav P Kocharekar, Forum Gandhi documented a day in the lives of these brave men and the harrowing journey that their profession is.
Donning their white t-shirt and the navy blue Nehru cap, the day starts at 7am with parade and drill. The drill makes way for a fire demonstration at a three-storey drill tower.
After responding to an early call and getting yelled at for 'being late', Bhimrao Shankar Kumbhar, who has served the department for the last 33 years, says, “This is not the first time we have been yelled at. People do not understand our plight. They merely see the fire.”
This a story in photographs of how these men carry out there duties, quite literally in the line of fire, like silent knights.
1. Firefighters in a line-up (Photo Courtesy - Abhinav P Kocharekar)
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Firefighters line-up for a photo after returning from one of the calls, for dna. (Photo Courtesy - Abhinav P Kocharekar)
2. 7am drill (Photo Courtesy - Abhinav P Kocharekar)
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When most of Mumbai is still not awake, these firemen wake up and prepare for their daily drill, at 7 am every morning. (Photo Courtesy - Abhinav P Kocharekar)
3. Demonstration and practice for rescue (Photo Courtesy - Abhinav P Kocharekar)
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The firefighters demonstrate how victims are rescued in case fire breaks out at multi-storeyed buildings. (Photo Courtesy - Abhinav P Kocharekar)
4. The control room (Photo Courtesy - Abhinav P Kocharekar)
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This is where all the distress calls are answered. As soon as the calls are answered, firefighters board the van in 2 to 3 minutes and set off on their way. (Photo Courtesy - Abhinav P Kocharekar)
5. En route in response to a distress call of fire (Photo Courtesy - Abhinav P Kocharekar)
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While the firefighters were having their lunch, the station receives a call about a fire near the Chembur Railway station. Within 3 minutes, the team was up and about. (Photo Courtesy - Abhinav P Kocharekar)
6. In conversation with the residents of the area where fire was reported (Photo Courtesy - Abhinav P Kocharekar)
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The men barely reached the area and they were received by yelling residents, complaining about them reaching late; inspite of them getting to the spot without a moment's delay. (Photo Courtesy - Abhinav P Kocharekar)
7. Fire situation (Photo Courtesy - Abhinav P Kocharekar)
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The decorative bamboo in the housing society had caught fire. This situation was brought under control with some effort. (Photo Courtesy - Abhinav P Kocharekar)
8. Packing up (Photo Courtesy - Abhinav P Kocharekar)
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These brave men risk their lives for this godly profession of saving others. They are often met with criticism and seldom acknowledged.
In this Fire Prevention Week, take some time out to reflect upon the lives of these firefighters, who are the vanguards of our society when time comes. (Photo Courtesy - Abhinav P Kocharekar)
