The ringing of phones at Mumbai Fire Brigade’s control room in Byculla East was almost constant on Monday, with those on the other end of the lines frantically informing operators about trees collapsing on or near their homes. Within seconds, trained operators began verifying locations, assessing the nature of the emergencies and alerting the nearest fire stations. Even as the callers were still on the line, rescue vans and personnel were being mobilised.

This seamless coordination is what enables Mumbai’s first responders to tackle hundreds of emergencies these days, ensuring that the city never comes to a standstill. mid-day spent the day with the fire department, which has been working round the clock to ensure no mishap disrupts the functioning of the city.