02 November,2016 09:21 AM IST | | Laxman Singh
Mumbai fire department will upgrade its analogue communication system with a digital avatar as walkie-talkies are a fireman's lifeline during a rescue operation'
The fire brigade had lost one of its fire-fighters in the 2014 blaze at Lotus Business Park due to poor connectivity. File pic
The fire brigade had lost one of its fire-fighters in the 2014 blaze at Lotus Business Park due to poor connectivity. File pic
In 2014, Nitin Ivlekar, a fireman suffocated to death after losing communication with his team when he was trapped on the 21st floor of the Lotus Business Park in Andheri during a massive fire. After the incident, firefighters had blamed poor connectivity inside the 22-storey building that led to the isolation of Ivlekar. The fire brigade has since decided to change its 56-year-old analogue communication system with a digital one.
To minimise the loss - of property and humans - and increase the efficiency of firefighters, it has decided to bring in a Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) system into place, which is also used in France and Germany.
Confirming the development, Chief Fire Officer, PS Rahangdale said, "We are trying to upgrade the system by introducing the high-tech and advanced DMR system. Communication is the backbone of fire fighting and rescue operations. Soon, fire brigade will get a new command and control post which can track fire fighting vehicles."
Outdated system
The country's oldest fire brigade is currently using the outdated analogue walkie-talkie communication system that often affects fire dousing and rescue operations. In 2014, after Ivlekar's death, questions were raised about the outdated communication system, which is a failure in high rises. However, firefighters can now breathe a sigh of relief once the DMR comes in, as it will help tackle the major problem of poor connectivity in high-rise buildings.
The new walkie-talkie
The Rs 8 crore project will also give firemen a free hand during fire fighting operations since they need not carry walkie-talkies as they will instead be equipped with microphone and speaker, which will be connected to a walkie-talkie attached to their fire fighting suit or personal protective equipments.
Signal obstructed
According to fire brigade officials, the abrupt increase in high-rise buildings across the city is of serious concern for fire-fighters since construction materials often end up obstructing signals. Officials blame materials like heavy steel, concrete and glass façade for failed communication system as the signal weakens after a point in the existing system.
The reason
Explaining the purpose of the DMR system, Mahesh Upasani, assistant station officer of wireless department of Mumbai fire brigade said, "The safety of firemen and citizens trapped in a fire depends on reliable and functional communication tools that work in the harshest and most hostile environments. Fire-fighters always work in adverse conditions (thick smog and intense heat) that are markedly different from those of any other wireless radio users."
"The radio is a lifeline for fire-fighters, connecting them to the command post and outside assistance in the most desperate situations. To operate safely in these dynamic environments, it is imperative that fire-fighters have the ability to immediately communicate information accurately."
More coverage
Since the new system will increase the coverage area, fire brigade officials are confident of covering areas like Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Marve and parts of Andheri that currently receive very poor signals. The proposal of purchasing the equipments required for DMR is ready and will soon be tabled before the BMC's Standing Committee for approval. Once the committee gives it a go-ahead, the brigade will start purchasing the equipment.
