PAMPORE: The fire and emergency station in south Kashmir’s Pampore town is battling with shortage of manpower and firefighting equipment.
Many fuel storing plants including Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum and bottling plants are stationed here. “These plants are very vulnerable to fire, and in case of fire, residential areas within 16 kilometers around them will be severely damaged ,” the locals said, adding that in case any eventuality in these plants, the fire and emergency station in Pampore is not fully equipped to deal with the situation.
The residents said that the station has only two fire tenders for dousing fire. “The station has only one driver for two fire tenders when it should have four,” the residents claimed, adding that the station is deficient in manpower too.
They said that the station has around four fire fighters.
“The station also covers adjoining areas including Khrew, Khonmoh, Kakapora, Awantipora and Nowgam,” they said.
The locals demanded that the fire station should be provided with 20 fire fighters.
Incharge fire and emergency station Pampore, Abdul Hi Lone said that it is a fact that the station is short in manpower. “The station has one drive for two fire tenders and has no multiple purpose fire tender which uses foam and water for dousing fire,” he said , adding that the station could serve the population more efficiently if the required staff and tenders are provided.

BILAL HABIB