Dear All,
RTI Appln was filed with an intent to find out whether Civic Authority has
learnt any lesson from fire mishaps at Chennai( School Children), Uphaar
Theatre ( Delhi), Meerat & so on. The response of Pune Fire Officer was that
they can’t proactively visit any place . Same was echoed by BMC Fire deept in
writing. PMC & BMC fire Dpt officer informed us that they will get the power
when Maharashtra Fire Prevention & Life Safety Act 2006 (MFP&LS 2006) (
President & Mah State Assembly assent received in Jan & Feb2007). However for
the want of modalities i.e. rules & regln for actual implementation Act could
not be implemented. RTI Appln was filed with Mah State Urb Devl Dept who
informed me that not a single meeting was held for forming rules & Reglns. Mr
Johny Joseph, ( Cab Secy) Mr Savant ( BMC) Mr Potphode are in the committee.
Not satisfied with answer Appl was preferred & difficulties were informed to
Appl Authy UD Dept Govt Of
Mah. who directed BMC Fire Dept to issue letter mentioned herein below (
Part A) . In other words any citizen can complaint to Fire Dept about fire
Prone places & fire Dept would take notice of the same. Earlier Fire Dept
could enter any premises only after fire took place. Now, file RTI to find out
ground realities in your cities & get (MFP&LS 2006) implemented in your state.
See point five to 8 for Proactive , power seizure etc ) Role ,
www.maharashtrafireservices.org . In Part B Article from DNA, Pune 7.1.09.
Regards
Vihar
Note: Although I have not received Appl Auty order there is a notification
that wef 6.12.08 MFP&LS 2006 has been implemented.
BRIHANMUMBAIMAHANAGARPALIKA
MUMBAI FIRE BRIGADE
To,
No. : FBM/Cell/253
Vihar
Durve
Dt: 29.11.08
573/1,Pavan Vihar
Nr. Sai Pump, J.M.Road,
Deccan, Pune - 411004.
Sub : Application for obtaining information under Right to
Information Act-2005.
Ref: RTI/2008/33/C No.l77/08/UD-20 Urban Development Setion
Mantralaya-Mumbai - 32.
Please refer to the above subject matter the information requested by
you under Right to Information Act-2005 is as below.
Question
Inform me whether officers of fire department from Pune Corporation or Mumbai
Corporation can't visit any Private Premises on their (SUO-MOTU) to find fire
prone locations/spots/godowns/ School/Colleges/Malls etc.
Ans:
Designated officers of this department can visit any private premises on their
(SUO-MOTU) to
find fire prone locations/sports/godowns/schools/Colleges/Malls etc
Yours faithfully,
Public Information Officer
Dy.Chief
Fire Officer Mumbai Fire Brigade
Part B: DNA Article. 7.1.09
http://epaper.dnaindia.com/epapermain.aspx?queryed=40&username=&useremailid=&parenteditioncode=40&eddate=1%2f7%2f2009
THEY CAN INSPECT ANY ESTABLISHMENT AND PENALISE ERRING BUILDING OWNERS
Firemen can act on their own
by : Ashish Jadhav
The state urban development department's clarification has come
after city-based activist Vihar Durve sought details on firelighters under the
Right to Information Act
Fire brigade officials can suo moto inspect any establishment. Not only that,
they can also initiate action against any establishment found to be fire-prone.
Eliminating a major hurdle, the state urban development department has
clarified that the officials from the department can visit any private
premises on their own.
The department's clarification comes after city-based Right to Information
(RTI) activist Vihar Durve sought information under the Right to Information
Act, 2005. He wanted to know if the designated officer of the fire department
can visit any private premises on suo moto basis to find fire prone locations
and take action accordingly
Assistant divisional fire officer Prashant Ranpise of the Pune Municipal
Corporation (PMC) confirmed that the department can inspect fire-prone
locations on a suo moto basis.
Total strength
Total strength of staff : 450
Station Officer: 12
Asst. Divisional Officers: 1
Chief Fire Officer : 1
MANPOWER SHORTAGE
Although the fire brigade officials are allowed to inspect any establishment
suo moto, the department doesn't have adequate manpower to do so. Ranpise said,
"The department doesn't have adequate staff to inspect all establishments on
suo moto basis," He said that plans are afoot to entrust an independent
licensed agency to conduct fire to audits of buildings,
Prashant Ranpise assistant divisional fire officer said
"If we find the inspected location to be fire prone, we can also initiate
action against the establishment by informing the concerned department of the
civic body," he said.
"If during inspection, we find any encroachment in the establishment, which may
lead to a fire, then the matter will be informed to the anti-encroachment
department of the PMC for immediate action," he said.
Fire brigade officials admitted that they faced stiff opposition from the
owners of the establishments whenever they tried to inspect the premises.
"Now that the matter has been clarified, we can inspect any establishment,"
said Ranpise. He said the frequent inspections will help to keep a check if the
establishments have adequate fire-fighting systems in place or if there are
any violations.
He said in the past, the resistance has mostly come from the commercial
establishments and plush residential societies.
"These people often declined permission to the fire brigade officials, first
asking for a letter," he said.
He explained that there was no such provision in the Maharashtra Fire
Prevention and Life Safety Measures Act 2006.
Get an email ID as [email protected] or [email protected]. Click
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
