TMC starts recruitment for fire department

THANE: The TMC began a recruitment drive for its fire department. This is the first such drive conducted after the Tarangan fire tragedy that claimed the lives of six firemen. The TMC has asked prospective candidates to send their applications for 26 firemen and 17 higher positions in the fire department.
The new staff will be selected after December 14, which is also the last date of application submission.The selection process includes a written examination, oral examination and physical examination of the potential candidates. The physical examination will have three rounds: rescue attempts, ladder ascending and descending examination and rope climbing examination. Apart from this, the TMC is also checking the fitness requirement of the candidates like their height, weight and frame size.
The recruitment procedure had been hit thanks to the model Code of Conduct guidelines for the state and central elections. The TMC has also been awaiting funds from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for the fire department. In addition, the topic of recruiting fire officers was raised during both, the standing committee and general body meetings of the TMC.
In addition to the 26 firemen, the TMC also wants to recruit one divisional officer, two station officers, five deputy station officers and nine drivers.
With Thane's growth, there has been a need for more fire officers. However, the process slowed down and the TMC had not carried out a drive in 20 years. The department also needed new equipment, which eventually resulted in the death of the six firemen.