1 fire truck for 101 villages!

Eluru: While fire stations are equipped with modern vehicles elsewhere, Bhimavaram fire station is sending jitters to people of as many as 101 villages, who have depended on services of one traditional fire tender at the station. 

The situation prevailed for over two years causing emergency-like condition when more than one fire occur at the same time.

Established in 1983 in a shed, the station is continuing in the same shelter till today. In April 2016, one of the two fire trucks was sent to a fire station opened at Kukkunuru. 

Since then, the station has only one fire truck. The fire truck is extending services to areas located in Bhimavaram town, Bhimavaram mandal, Palakoderu, Veeravasaram, Undi and Kalla mandals.

Ten out of 31 posts in the fire station are pending vacant. Eight firemen and two drivers needed to make the station complete. 

When more fire accidents takes place, fire tender from other fire stations should be called for help. 

This is resulting in the loss to property in majority cases apart from danger to human lives.

A look at the station gives a pathetic impression. It direly needs a building to support vehicles and staff. 

A modern fire truck is also needed to save property and lives of people in 101 villages in the event of a fire mishap.