Mumbai Fire Brigade looks at getting access to CCTV surveillance

Mumbai Fire Brigade officials outside the One Avighna Park building at Currey Road. File pic

In order to get real-time data of fire incidents and improve their firefighting system, the Mumbai Fire Brigade is now trying to get access to CCTV surveillance at their command centre. Currently, the city police and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC's) disaster control room have access to more than 5,500 CCTVs across the city.

Over the past couple of years, the fire brigade has upgraded its technology and machinery, which include a 90-metre ladder and a firefighting robot. There are 35 fire stations, 18 mini-fire stations across the city, and more than 258 fire vehicles like fire engines, jumbo water tankers and ladder vans. The BMC is planning to add 10 more mini-fire stations. Even the BMC has approved the procurement of 24 fire bikes at a cost of R3.15 crore each.

"Recently we were at the BMC disaster control room during two big fire incidents, one in Bandra and another in Mankhurd. The access to CCTVs gave us an idea of the wind direction and how the fire was spreading. Accordingly, we managed the firefighting equipment. This helped us control the fires in less time," said Hemant Parab, chief fire officer.

He added, "We don't get such vital information at the spot. Fire in high-rises can be tackled better if we get to know such details. We use drones, but access to CCTVs will be advantageous." The fire department is looking to add cameras at its command centre so that they have real-time access to fire incidents. "The fire brigade's command centre head office at Byculla is world-class. Talks with the home department about providing access to traffic cameras are on. It will improve the department's efficiency level to deal with fire incidents," said additional municipal commissioner Ashwini Bhide in the recent standing committee meeting.