The Supreme Court Bench of Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Ravindra Bhat today issued notice in a petition calling for improvement in the state of fire and emergency services.

This petitioner in the matter, Mr. Sanjay Garg, represented Advocate-on-Record Abhinav Shrivastava, states that he is deeply pained by the recent fire incidents that have been handled with laxity and subsequently, led to loss of life. It is stated that while the focus often remains on a lack of safety measures taken by the concerned building, the lack of capable fire and emergency services is overlooked. 

As per the petition, there is a deficiency of 1,315 fire stations in urban areas and 4,257 fire stations in rural areas. The gap in personnel in urban areas is 2,94,216 and in rural areas it is 2,62,907. A significant gap, in the number of fire fighting appliances/vehicles, is present at 13,481.

The plea cites a study of 2012 on fire hazard and risk analysis, showing alarming gaps between what is available and what is required, in several key areas of fire and emergency services. There is a need for 78% more fire stations, 82% more fire fighting and rescue vehicles, 93% more specialised equipment and 89.5% more fire fighting personnel. 

Norms also require there to be a fire station for every ten square kilometres in urban areas and one fire station for every fifty square kilometres in rural areas. This norm is not followed in any state. 

The report further stated that a fund of Rs. 3,72,138 crores were needed to meet the deficiency.

The writ petition also states that while the study came out in 2012, fire services have remained one of the most neglected departments of state governments. The deficiency displayed by the services, has therefore claimed to violate Article 21 of the Constitution. 

Reference is made to CAG auditors having found substantial anomalies and inadequacies on Maharashtra’s fire services. It was found that 78% of the fund for appliances, vehicles and equipment remained unspent, along with a shortage of fire stations.  

RTI queries were also filed by the petitioner to various state governments, with the replies revealing fire and emergency services in a poor state due to lack of personnel, equipment, specialised appliances and training institutions, in addition to low and unspent budgets of fire departments. 

The petition states that while norms have been laid down, fire services often cannot meet the recommended response time due to multiple problems such as congested lanes, traffic jams and delayed response from the fire department. 

Concern was also raised as fire services are responsible for carrying out relief, search and rescue operations in case of natural disasters. Thus, competency for fire services is sought to be improved as a multi-hazard force, especially given today’s rapid urbanization. 

The petition seeks inter alia directions for the implementation of the “Model Bill to Provide for the Maintenance of a Fire and Emergency Services for the State, 2017” until the states pass their own comprehensive law and take adequate measures to improve the competency of fire services across the country. 

Read Order here:

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