Firefighting fleet in state gets a major upgrade

Vijayawada: Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the state govt was modernising the fire services department in a phased manner to better protect lives and property during fire accidents and disasters. He said the state govt was spending Rs 252.86 crore from central and state funds for a complete overhaul of the fire services department.The chief minister flagged off 58 modern firefighting vehicles worth Rs 40 crore, purchased with 15th Finance Commission funds, at a programme held at Seed Access Road on Friday. The newly inducted fleet comprised 25 advanced firefighting vehicles, 20 water bowsers and 13 quick response multipurpose firefighting vehicles aimed at improving emergency response in rural, forest and densely populated areas.Naidu said the first phase of the modernisation programme had already made 65 firefighting vehicles available for Rs 33 crore. “In the second phase, we have now launched 58 vehicles at a cost of Rs 40 crore. Soon, in the third phase, more firefighting vehicles and equipment will be inducted,” he said. Special focus is also being given to infrastructure at fire stations. Seventeen new fire station buildings are under construction for Rs 2.25 crore each, of which six have been completed, while another 36 existing fire stations are being modernised to strengthen the department’s network across the state.Home minister Vangalapudi Anitha said the 25 advanced firefighting vehicles, valued at Rs 18.68 crore, will be deployed in rural and forest regions where conventional equipment may face operational challenges. The 20 water bowsers, costing Rs 14.79 crore and each capable of carrying 14,000 litres of water, will ensure uninterrupted supply during major fires, particularly in urban and industrial areas. The 13 quick response multipurpose vehicles, procured for Rs 6.37 crore and equipped with advanced technology, are designed to reach narrow, congested and difficult-to-access locations swiftly, thereby reducing response time in densely populated zones.Director general of fire services M Venkata Ramana briefed the chief minister on the special features and capabilities of the new vehicles. Officials said the latest induction builds on the first phase and significantly augments the department’s emergency response infrastructure.