In an effort aimed at making the fire and rescue services department fully prepared to handle high-rise conflagrations, chief minister J. Jayalalithaa has ordered the purchase of a vehicle with ladder, which can stretch up to a height of 54 metre, at a cost of Rs 5.97 crore.
Taking into account the increasing number of multistoried apartments in the city, the CM ordered the purchase of the vehicle to help the fire and rescue services department fight fires and rescue the victims in an efficient manner.
According to sources, this is an advanced hydraulic platform-cum-turntable ladder capable of reaching a dizzying height of 54 metres (13-storied).
This equipment, popularly called the Bronto Skylift would boost the department’s capability to combat fire.
The department at present possesses hydraulic platform-cum-turn table ladder 37 metre and 42 metre Bronto Skylift from Finland and the induction of the new equipment would make the department totally modernised.
Also, considering the safety of the firemen while they are engaged in fire fighting and rescue operations, she ordered the purchase of three-layered fire protection suits and gumboots at a cost of Rs 28 crore.
The fire protection suits and other equipment will be distributed across the 302 fire stations, according to a release here.