'Unworthy investment': Firefighters to get helmets worth Rs29,000 each

That the firefighting staff of Pune lacks the protective gears is a known fact. With the city on the terror radar, dna has time and again highlighted the issue of the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) personnels not having the safety gloves and helmets.

Now, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), it seems, is going overboard in providing them with the safety gears.

The civic body has decided to provide helmets worth Rs29,000 each.

According to the firefighters, they do not need such expensive helmets. Instead, the municipal corporation should provide them with the uniforms as per the requirement.

But the disaster management cell of the PMC has already decided to spend Rs89 lakh for purchasing 300 such helmets.
A proposal in this regard has been submitted on Monday which was then approved by the standing committee.

Vishal Tambe, chairman of PMC’s standing committee, said, “The proposal of Rs89 lakh to purchase 300 helmets was approved by the standing committee. Each helmet costs Rs29,780 and it will be useful for firefighters when they will be carrying out rescue operations.”

Justifying the procurement of the helmets deputy municipal commissioner and in charge of PMC disaster management cell Pravin Ashtikar said, “The helmet is as per the European norms and UL standards. They are of imported quality and part of the Personal Protective equipment (PPE).”

“The helmet is made of hardest carbon composite and it is very light in weight. It has different attachments like neck, ear, head and mask as per the requirement of the fire fighter. This is for the first time we will be using such kind of helmets which is being used worldwide,” he said.

However, when contacted firefighters, they said taking care of the helmet will be a headache.

“We are waiting for the safety uniforms since 2006 and only some of us have got these uniforms. Some protective gears such as hand gloves and jackets are yet to come. We do not need such expensive helmets, instead, the authorities should provide full uniforms to the rest of the staff.”

Helmet specifications
Made of hardest carbon composite
Light in weight
Different attachments like neck, ear, head and mask as per individuals
Made under European norms and UL standards
Each costs Rs29,780