Deonar blaze: Why fire fighting is a toxic job

Even as Mumbai reels under a heavy blanket of everpresent smog over 16 fire vehicles and more than 50 fire fighters have been pressed into the tedious task of dousing the fire at the Deonar dumping ground While food and water is being offered to the fire fighters for the first time by the BMC they still have to force themselves to eat their meals surrounded by toxic gases during their eighthour dutiesSources confirmed that the fire fighters at the centre are serving mandatory office hours after the fire call as well leaving them no time for any rest Pic CourtesyFire departmentMoreover sources confirmed that the fire fighters functioning at the centre are serving mandatory office hours after the fire call as well leaving them no time for any rest On the other hand medical experts have advised each one of them to see their doctors and after completing the operationWhile the fire broke out at Deonar dumping ground a week back frequent fire breakouts have been taking place in and around the 132hectare area of the countryrsquos largest dumping ground Needless to say this has kept the fire fighters fairly busy Seven fire fighting engines and nine water tankers were trying to control the fire yesterday which was the seventh day of the fire Fire fighters confirmed that while the larger part of the fire has been controlled repeated incidents at various spots have kept them bonded to the spotldquoOnly 10 of the fire is remaining to be doused we have successfully controlled the rest As it is itrsquos only this time the fire is causing so many debates and controversies For us it has been a very old and hectic issuerdquo said one of the firemenNo escapeThe state of the fire officers and firemen working at the spot is much worse than that of the residents and politicians complaining about the same While multiple teams of the firemen are working in two shifts due to lack of to 1 pm and 1 pm to 9 pm Surprisingly it is the first time they have been given lunch or dinner facilities by BMC officialsWhile they have food and water there is no escape from the toxic smoke emitting 247 from the partially burning garbage ldquoWe have food to eat but we are eating in an area surrounded by toxic smoke and foul stench How healthy can it berdquo asked another firemanLong hoursAt the same time even after spending eight long hours at the spot the firemen are asked to report back to office to complete their working hours Some of the senior fire officers pushed into the duty have done five shifts while the juniors are working backtoback duties to relieve their subordinates in a matter of seven days ldquoAfter every big fire call there is a mandatory rest period But as the department is asking us to work we donrsquot have any other option than to follow the ordersrdquo said a senior fire official While midday had carried a report regarding the traffic police department ordering 3500 facemasks for their personnel after issuing strict instructions to wear them no such special treatment is given to the fire officers With the limited number of masks available fire fighting has become nothing but a task for the teams of the trying to douse the fireCFO saysP S Rahangdale Chief Fire Officer of Mumbai Fire brigade said that while the job of the fire fighters was tough they have been given the responsibility to fight adverse conditions ldquoThere was no access road the area is filled with toxic fumes and only 15 oxygen to breathe but we took all the necessary precautions We had water to keep the firemen hydrated and used effective techniques so that the work is completed faster I appreciate the efforts of the firemen who successfully surrounded the fire within three daysrdquo said Rahangdale