National Disaster Response Force deals a blow to fire brigade, will lead rescue missions in Mumbai

In the battle for command over rescue operations in the city, the civic authority has sided with national disaster management body NDRF over its own fire brigade, because when it comes to doing the job, the disaster response force is more able and experienced, officials have said.       

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has asked both the Mumbai Fire Brigade and the National Disaster Response Force to resolve their long-standing differences over who will lead the search and rescue missions, before the monsoon sets upon the city and reduces crumbling buildings to rubble, as it is wont to do annually.

The two agencies, which have bickered over leading the charge at scenes of disaster in the city, have received the BMC's letter asking them to sit down and talk it out.

But the civic authority is clear over who should get preference. "It is true that the Mumbai fire brigade reaches at disaster sites first because of its presence across the city. But, professionally, the NDRF team is more capable of carrying out rescue operations after disasters like building collapses, while MFB shows the same ability when it comes to dousing fire," said IA Kundan, additional municipal commissioner, western suburbs. "I have asked both the agencies to hold a meeting and sort out their differences."

She added that though the fire brigade is an arm of the BMC, she cannot back it to lead rescue operations at collapse sites: "Saving human lives trapped in debris is more important for the civic administration. We cannot compromise on that. NDRF should lead even if it reaches the collapse site after the fire brigade." Kundan stressed the need for professional and timely coordination between the agencies.

Mumbai receives around 3,000 mm of rainfall from June to September. Then there are rainy days when it pours 200 to 300 mm within 24 hours. The chances of flooding and collapse rise on such days and agencies such as the NDRF, Navy and fire brigade are kept on standby to tackle calamitous situations.

BRIGADE BESTED

• Since NDRF is more skilled in handling rescue tasks after floods and structural collapses, it says it should get priority. But the fire brigade says it reaches the site of the incident first, whether it is a fire or a cave-in.