The Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) has announced plans to install wireless communication sets – enabled with GPS (global positioning system) – on its fire-fighting vehicles. At present, the KMC’s fire brigade department has six fire-fighting vehicles in various parts of the city and fire officials must communicate with each other through a hotline telephone. It is difficult to guide the vehicles to the site of the incident, since there is no proper communication between the control centre and fire personnel. The new systems will completely modernise communication methods.
"There are six fire-fighting vehicles on which the GPS-enabled wireless communication sets will be installed. In case of an accident or a blaze, wherein people need to be attended immediately, the wireless communication sets on the vehicles will help find the location so that the nearest fire stations could be informed," said Prasad Sankpal, Disaster Management Officer in the KMC.
The wireless sets will be connected to certified HAM radio operators. "At present, there are three HAM radio operators in the city. We take their help frequently in case of disasters. The wireless sets will be connected to HAM radios so as to reduce delays in action," he added.
"In case of congested areas, it is difficult to find the exact location of the incident. In such cases, the GPS technology will help in guiding the firemen and reach the spots quickly," Sankpal said. In old city areas, entry for heavy vehicles can be challenging due to narrow lanes and damage can be severe due to congestion.
The wireless sets will be procured through funds approved by the State Government. Funding forms part of its disaster management programme; earlier this year, the Government approved £50,000 to modernise the fire brigade department and set up a disaster management department.
