The fire fighters of various fire stations are still deprived of their new uniforms despite Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) on Monday handed over two sets of new uniform to some 1,356 fire fighters of various fire stations, it is learnt. Sources said that more than 200 fire fighters are still deprived of getting their new uniforms. These staff members of Fire Brigade department have been deprived of new uniform for last two to three years.
There are total 21 fire stations in the city including the emergency response center, Hawksbay, while 43 fire tenders, three snorkels and dousers each are currently in working. Sources said that fire fighters deployed at Maripur Fire Station, Nazimabad Fire Station, Layri Fire Station, Bhens Colony Fire Station, New Karachi Fire Station and three others could not managed to get new uniforms in a ceremony held at Civic Centre on Monday. Providing new uniforms to the fire fighting staff was decided at the meeting chaired by Municipal Commissioner Matanat Ali Khan.
In a meeting it was assured that new uniforms would be given to fire brigade employees in next few days. Sources inside fire department told Business Recorder that In case of any fire incident, be it minor or major, our fire fighters face problems in executing their operations all the time.
He stressed the need to increase available resources, as shortage of equipment not only affecting working mechanism but also damaging the reputation of the department. He said that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation should increase the budget for fire department so as to facilitate the fire fighting staff, besides bring more fire tenders, snorkels and other equipment in the department.
When contacted Senior Director Health Shoukat Zaman said, "we have been disbursing uniforms among the fire fighters in a phase wise". He said that fire fighters are being invited to receive their uniforms on daily basis. He said that rest of the fire fighters would also be given new uniforms in next couple of days. Sources said that KMC should hand over the uniforms to the head of the relevant fire stations instead of calling fire fighters one by one at Civic Centre for giving a uniform.