The Delhi Fire Service is set to enhance its capability to combat blazes in highrise buildings with 50 or more floors by procuring new specialized fire tenders and ladders. Two advanced fire tenders designed for skyscrapers, equipped with systems reaching up to 200 meters, are expected to be acquired. According to a fire official, these tenders will feature compressors and foam-based systems, enabling effective firefighting in buildings up to 50 floors.
New Equipment and Vehicles
The department also plans to procure six multipurpose water tenders with turntable ladders capable of reaching 15 to 22 meters. These vehicles will carry water along with a full range of firefighting and rescue equipment. Additionally, one 55-meter and two 42-meter turntable ladders with 360-degree rotation will be added, designed specifically for highrise emergencies to improve access to upper floors and enable faster rescue operations.
Addressing Nighttime Challenges
Following a building collapse in south Delhi’s Said-ul-Ajaib that claimed six lives, inadequate lighting during the nighttime rescue operation was identified as a major challenge. To address this, the department plans to acquire four lighting-cum-breathing apparatus vans. These vehicles will support rescue teams in low-visibility and hazardous conditions, carrying cascades of breathing air cylinders to ensure a continuous supply of breathable air for firefighters in smoke-filled environments.
Quick Response and Rescue Tenders
The fire department will also procure 50 quick-response vehicles designed to navigate narrow lanes for faster emergency access. Additionally, four urban search and rescue tenders, equipped with a comprehensive range of rescue tools, will be added to respond to building collapses, gas leaks, and major fires.
Timeline and Current Capabilities
Delhi Fire Service Chief Fire Officer Abhilash Kumar Malik stated that the department aims to complete the procurement by 2026, significantly strengthening the city’s firefighting and emergency response capabilities. Currently, the department uses various specialized tools, including a percussive rescue tool demonstrated at the Bhikaji Cama Place fire station, which can breach brick and concrete walls within minutes using a sliding impact mechanism. It features interchangeable attachments such as a bull point, chisels, a lock breaker, and a metal-cutting claw.
Another key equipment is the Bronto aerial platform, used for highrise firefighting. A 42-meter lift currently reaches 10-11 floors, but plans are underway for 90-meter lifts to access buildings up to 30 floors. In contrast, conventional manual ladders are limited to about three floors, making aerial platforms critical for highrise emergencies.
Additional Equipment and Techniques
Firefighters also utilize equipment such as the fireman’s axe for forcible entry, cutting electrical wires up to 2,200 volts, and breaking toughened glass. Breathing apparatus sets with a 6 kg oxygen cylinder provide 45 minutes of breathable air in hazardous environments. For congested areas, first responders on motorcycles carry water and foam cylinders for immediate firefighting, along with hydraulic tools like cutters operated by portable generators. The UK branch, connected to the hose system, can project water up to 100 feet, switching between a concentrated jet and a spray mode for a protective water curtain. Portable pumps, operating on petrol engines, draw water from nearby sources at 850 liters per minute when tankers are empty.
