Kerala fire department to get helicopter

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government would take a speedy decision on the purchase of a helicopter for the Fire and Rescue Service, the Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has said.

This would enable the service to operate with much greater efficiency in times of disaster, he said.

He was speaking after receiving a cheque for Rs. 10 crore-to be handed over to the Fire and Rescue Service-from the Revenue Minister K. P. Rajendran, here, on Wednesday. The fund is being given from the Disaster Management Department of the State government. The government hopes to give the Service such a fund every year for the purchase of rescue equipment, Mr. Balakrishnan added.

In his speech, Mr. Rajendran said a helicopter would be of particular use in rescuing those stranded in remote areas in situations such as a landslide or a flood. The Service would be able to rescue people or reach medicines and food to remote areas including tribal settlements,he said.

Speed boats, water tenders, underwater breathing apparatus, rubber dinghies, search lights, two excavators, hydraulic tools, chain saws, stretchers that can float in water, life buoys, life jackets,inflatable tents, tower lights and emergency lamps would be among the rescue equipment that the Fire and Rescue Service in the state would add to its armoury thanks to the Rs. 10 crore fund.

According to a handout prepared by Department, the Fire and Rescue Service was able to save 4493 persons and 1390 animals during various fire and rescue operations during the last five years. Property worth Rs. 1131.15 crores was also saved from destruction during fire andrescue operations during this period, the document said.

There are 89 Fire and Rescue Stations in the state. In order that all these stations become fully operational, equipment worth Rs. 50 crores need to be purchased immediately, the document noted.

Mr. V. Sivankutty MLA, the chief secretary Neela Gangadharan , the principal secretary (Revenue), Nivedita P. Haran and the Commandant General of the Fire and Rescue Service Alexander Jacob were among those who participated in the programme.