IT News
Imphal July 8: Lack of manpower in Fire Service Department is one of the most important factors that hamper fire-fighting works in the state.An official source said that the actual strength of Manipur Fire Service as on Feb 14, 2014 is 251 against the sanctioned strength of 281. There is a deficiency of 30 staffs of different ranks in the Department. The sanctioned posts of regular Director, Joint Director and Divisional Officer are remained vacant in the Department. The post of Director is now holding by Kh. Chandramani Singh, IPS Dy. IGP (R-IV)) on in-charge basis vide Government order no 03/1/2002-IPS/DP dated Feb 14, 2014. The post of Divisional Officer is also honging by L Nabachandra Singh, Station Officer on in-charge basis vide Government order no 1/1/(17)/2013-H(FS) dated 25.6.2013.Besides this the department has only one station officer against three posts sanctioned. There is deficient number of staffs in other posts such as sub-officer, leading fireman, driver, fireman, head mechanic, Asst. Head Mechanic, Mechanic and others. This is the most important factor in hampering fire-fighting in the state.The source further said that Manipur Fire Service handled 373 Fire incidents during from April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2014. The incidents involved were of residential buildings, shops, commercial establishment, educational institutions, offices, tea stalls, vehicles, unauthorized oil, LPG stores, forest fire etc. Out of these 237 were small fire, and 98 were major fire.It may be mentioned here that the state Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister on the day of Major fire at Majorkhul Imphal in June this year said that the Fire Service Department needs improvement in terms of manpower and equipments.
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