The recent tragic fire at a hospital in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, which claimed the lives of 11 newborn babies, is a chilling reminder of a systemic failure to ensure fire safety in India. 

Challenges Leading to Fire Safety Failures

• Flawed Fire Safety Implementation: While fire safety measures are legally mandatory, regulations are often undermined by corruption in the process of obtaining fire no-objection certificates (NOCs).
• Structural Issues: Improper planning, lack of preparedness, and flawed construction further exacerbate the problem. 
  • Many establishments fail to meet fire safety norms, creating conditions ripe for catastrophic incidents. 
  • Additionally, the infrastructure is often unsuitable for handling different types of fires, such as electrical, chemical, or others.
• Shortage of Firefighters: Global standards recommend one firefighter for every 1,000 people. For India’s population of 1.4 billion, this translates to approximately 1.8 million firefighters. 
  • However, the country has only 300,000 firefighters, leaving a staggering shortfall of 1.5 million.
  • This gap is most severe in densely populated states such as UP, Bihar and Maharashtra. On average, each state lacks 14,382 firefighters.
• Deficiency in Tools and Equipment: Fire trucks, a critical component of firefighting efforts, are also in woefully short supply. For example:
  • Uttar Pradesh: Needs an additional 4,155 fire trucks.
  • Bihar: Requires 2,775 more trucks.
  • Maharashtra: Needs 2,640 more trucks.
    On average, each state faces a shortfall of 707 trucks.

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The Way Forward

• Hiring and Training Firefighters: Bridging the massive shortfall of 1.5 million firefighters is a priority. 
  • The government should undertake large-scale recruitment drives and establish training institutes to create a skilled and ready firefighting workforce.
• Strengthening the Fire NOC Process: The process of securing fire no-objection certificates (NOCs) must be made more transparent and accountable.
• Ensuring Timely Responses: Reducing response times is critical during emergencies. This can be achieved by:
  • Increasing the number of fire stations, particularly in underserved areas.
  • Upgrading and expanding the fleet of fire trucks with advanced equipment.
  • Developing region-specific fire safety plans, with urban and rural strategies tailored to the population density and risk factors.
• Supporting Firefighters: Firefighters operate in physically demanding and high-stress environments. Their well-being is essential for efficient performance. Measures include:
  • Better Compensation: Provide competitive salaries and benefits.
  • Mental Health Support: Offer counseling and stress management programs.
  • Modern Facilities: Equip fire stations with amenities to support the physical and mental health of firefighters.  
• Public Awareness and Education: A well-informed public can play a significant role in fire safety. Awareness programs should include:
  • Evacuation Drills: Regular drills in schools, hospitals, and public buildings.
  • Basic Fire Safety Training: Teach people how to handle small fires and use extinguishers.
  • Emergency Response Education: Spread knowledge about how to respond effectively in the event of a fire.
• Prioritizing Fire Safety in Budget Allocations: State governments must treat fire safety as a key public welfare issue. This requires allocating more resources for capacity building and ensuring effective policy implementation.
• Learning from Global Best Practices: India can take inspiration from the USA’s fire safety model, particularly the use of volunteer firefighters. 
  • In addition to professional firefighters, a network of trained volunteers can provide invaluable support, especially in rural and remote areas. 

Conclusion

In a country as large and populous as India, fire safety is not just a technical requirement but a moral imperative. The Jhansi hospital fire and similar tragedies serve as stark reminders that it is time for the nation to prioritize fire safety with the urgency it demands.