Proposal to privatise fire stations hangs fire

HYDERABAD: A proposal to privatise fire services in the state is still hanging fire. Some 21 fire stations were identified to be run on contract basis. The state government even accorded sanctions and released funds for the implementation of the privatisation proposal but those who were awarded the contracts developed cold feet and have gone back on their bids.
Out of the 21 sanctioned stations in the state, the foundation stone has been laid only for one private fire station at Narasapur in Medak district.
The innovative proposal to outsource fire services was put before the government by the director-general of fire services on November 13, 2003. Following this, the state government issued an order giving sanction on January 9, 2004 and released funds of Rs 3.12 crore for the same. Private parties were awarded contracts for running fire stations for a period of five years.
According to the guidelines issued, the agency qualified to run the fire station would be paid a consolidated sum per year for its services. The payable sum is calculated on the basis of a five-year functional cost profile of a fire station being run in public sector. Officials of fire services say this will cost around Rs 14.89 lakh for each fire station per year.
These units in the private sector will function like those in the public sector. Appointments and training of the personnel should be in accordance with the guidelines issued by the government.
In case of each fire incident as well as failure to respond to a fire call or inefficient handling of fire accident, the private fire station will have to pay a fine of Rs 30,000, officials said.