Delhi Fire Service is grappling with an overall manpower shortage of 42 per cent and still requires 12 more fire stations as against its sanctioned target of 70, according to a CAG report.
The report tabled in Delhi Assembly today said the force was "not adequately equipped" with fire fighting vehicles and equipment and lacked the required number of pumping stations.
The DFS had a target of setting up 70 fire units in all seventy Assembly constituencies. But, by November 2015, only 58 could be built.
"Considering the population of Delhi as per the Census of 2011, DFS did not have adequate number of pumping units. It had only 160 pumping units against the requirement of 205. Thirty one (20 per cent) of these were not functional," said the report that reviewed the progress between 2010-2015 said.
Even the response time of DFS was not at par with prescribed norms. In more than 60 per cent of test-checked cases, the response time exceeded the stipulated three minutes in high-hazard zones and closely built-up areas and five minutes in other areas.
Interestingly, the DFS had "no details" on the number of high-rise buildings in Delhi and the status of issue and renewal of fire safety certificates in respect of such buildings. Even the test-check of fire system in buildings revealed "non-compliance" with stipulated fire safety norms.
The DFS has a total of six Bronto Skylifts to be used in case of fire at different heights, with maximum height that can be reached is 70 m or 220 ft, the report said.
However, Delhi also has buildings with height of more than 220 feet, such as the Civic Centre (335 feet).
