Panaji: The directorate of fire and emergency services on Tuesday inducted modern firefighting and support vehicles into its operational fleet at a cost of over Rs 22 crore.The operational fleet was expanded by 18 vehicles– eight mid-sized water tenders (MSWTs), one hazardous materials (Hazmat) response vehicle, one 42-metre turn table ladder (TTL) and eight motorcycles.The newly inducted fleet was flagged off by chief minister Pramod Sawant, in the presence of fire and emergency services director Nitin V Raiker, officers and personnel of the directorate.Sawant said that this induction of motorcycles will help reach the fire incident spots quickly and the 42-metre turn table ladder is the first such now available in the state for firefighting.The procurement was funded under the 15th Finance Commission and by state govt.The eight MSWTs, procured under the 15th Finance Commission at Rs 5.4 crore, are deployed at Canacona, Curchorem, Vasco, Pilerne and Pernem fire stations.In addition, three MSWTs have been procured with govt funding at Rs 4.4crore against condemned firefighting vehicles. These are deployed at Margao, Ponda and Vasco fire stations.The Hazmat response vehicle, specially designed to respond to hazardous material incidents, chemical spills, industrial emergencies and complex rescue operations, has been bought at Rs 5.3 crore.The 42 metre TTL, equipped with a hydraulically operated 360-degree rotating extendable ladder and rescue cage, has been procured at Rs 11 crore.The motorcycles purchased against condemned bikes costed govt Rs 5.7 lakh. These motorcycles are deployed at Vasco, Bicholim, Valpoi, Kundaim, Curchorem, Canacona and Margao fire stations, as well as the motor transport section.
