The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has formed a five-member team consisting of officials from the license office, shops and establishment department, and department dealing in proposal for buildings. It also includes the medical officer of health (MoH) and assistant fire station officers. The team will operate at the ward level to work on preventive measures against fire accidents.

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However, the fire brigade union believes that the team is not going to serve any real purpose. "The team formed is an eyewash and will not serve any purpose,' Advocate Prakash Devdas, president, Municipal Fire Brigade Official Association, said.

Devdas also said that assistant fire station officers do not have necessary training to check fire compliance. "It is clearly mentioned in the Maharashtra Fire Prevention & Life Safety Measure Act (MFP&LSA), 2006, that the fire department official must have a year's training before going to check fire compliance at any establishment," Devdas said.

"Officials from the license department, shops and establishment department, and buildings' proposal segment or even the medical officer of health can cheack other necessities. None of them can check fire safety compliance. So, the very purpose of forming a team will not be served," Devdas added.

Almost a year ago, the BMC had set up a fire compliance cell and nominated 34 officials to coordinate with designated ward officials and inspect and ensure compliance according to the guidelines of the Mumbai Fire Prevention and Life Safety Act. "When a team already exists, what is the purposes of setting up another one. The existing officials are already coordinating with ward officials," Devdas further said.

MAJOR HURDLE

  • The Fire Brigade Union said that assistant fire station officers do not have the necessary training to check fire compliances