Poor access to tackle fire in capital

By Sushma Maharjan Kathmandu, May 1: Nepal has been known to have proportionately higher number of natural disasters, especially fire outbreaks over the years. As the unplanned urbanised settings are highly exposed to occurrences of fire incidents, the inhabitants and settlements of Kathmandu valley, which is highly unorganized, poses a risk of increased mortality and morbidity alongside huge economic costs.

The Kathmandu Fire Brigade was established in 1938 AD by then Rana Prime Minister Juddha Shumsher Rana. It was initially operated under the Ministry of Home Affairs which was later handed over to KMC after the decision of Council of Ministries in 2008. Since then, it is operating under Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

According to the Kathmandu Fire Brigade, a total of 255 fire incidents took place from the start of Fiscal Year 2021/2022 till today. It informed that the number of incidents has increased over the years. There were a total of 111 fire incidents in 2020/2021 Fiscal Year. 

Chandan Shrestha, Chief of Kathmandu Fire Brigade, said most of the fire incidents in the valley were caused by electric short circuit. He expressed his sadness that the fire engines could not reach the incident spot on time due to unplanned urbanisation in the valley. He added the firefighters leave the station within two minutes after receiving a call but it takes more than 15 minutes to reach the spot. The haphazard extension of wires and placement of hoarding boards, time-taking traffic, random parking, footpath business on the narrow streets make it difficult for the fire engines to reach on time. 

Chief Shrestha informed that a total of five fire engines are in operation in New Road fire station. He added that two of them are in perfect condition while the other three are not operating smoothly. These engines have the water capacity of 2,000 to 3,500 litres. There are two more fire engines in Ramhiti, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Ward No. 6 fire station. 

Likewise, three fire engines are in operation in Lalitpur Sub-metropolitan City and two in Bhaktapur Municipality. 

Stating that the fire engines are insufficient in the valley, Shrestha added that they also lack water sources. The brigade has only one water tank. Thus, 

if there is a huge fire then they have to cooperate with local bodies for water supply. In coordination with Armed Police Force, Nepal Army, and wards they manage the water supply for the fire engines. 

According to Shrestha, in the core settlement areas in the valley where fire engines cannot get in two hydrants 

(Non-Freeze Valve that helps provide water) have been placed. He said that in Macchindra Bahal-Masangali in Ward No. 25 and in the area near District Education Office in Ward No. 13 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City the hydrants have been constructed. In Ward No. 23 a reserve tank and pump have been constructed. The hydrant is under construction.

The Kathmandu Fire Brigade, staffed with around 42 firefighters, is the first and oldest fire station of Nepal, occasionally seeking support from Nepal Army and Civil Aviation’s firefighting team and other fire stations while addressing high-risk fire incidents. The firefighters are recruited mostly from the Armed Police Force (APF) department based on their skills and positional requirement of the fire station. 

Chief Shrestha recalled that Birendra Saud, a firefighter, had lost his hand in an incident about four years ago. He added if there was a massive fire incident then the firefighters’ life is at risk due to lack of proper equipment for firefighters. The Brigade lacks the basic necessities for a firefighter like protective gear face mask, fire protective equipment and others.

The Brigade is planning to bring three fire engines from Indonesia as soon as possible, informed Shrestha. 

Although fire is most frequent and economically damaging disaster, fire response and preparedness, especially in Kathmandu Valley, seems to be highly compromised. The urban population is at higher risk of facing fire disasters while there are limited resources. The Kathmandu Fire Brigade is serving millions of those in Kathmandu Valley, however it lacks infrastructure to conduct its operations smoothly.