The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation’s (AMC) will soon be acquiring a skylift aerial ladder platform thanks to Finland-based manufacturer.
The skylift aerial ladder platform is a highly sophisticated fire-fighting vehicle with the ability to lift fire-fighters up to 42 meters from ground level. The vehicle is not manufactured in India and Finland-based companies are among the few manufacturers around the world.
Shivaji Zanzan the AMC’s Chief Fire Officer explained in December that the civic body’s fire department is in its final stage of vehicle acquisition. "The supplier’s tender will be opened next week and placed before the general body," he said, adding that the AMC had earmarked a fund of Rs 8.5 crore for the purpose.
Zanzan also said that the vehicle is likely to arrive in the current financial year. "We will most probably acquire it before summer," he added.
Right now, the fire brigade operates with a small fleet of five vehicles, capable of dousing fire up to a height of 10 meters. However, the high-rise buildings have been growing rapidly around the city and creating a demand for vehicles that can deal with fire incidents happening in such buildings.
Currently, vehicles are available only in cities such as Mumbai and Pune. The vehicle will be of great use in rescues from multi-storied buildings. "Besides, fire incidents, we can also use the vehicle for other emergencies. The AMC can also offer the vehicle to other nearby cities," Zanzan said, adding that it would be the first such vehicle in the region.
