Fire services steps up preparedness, deploys teams at vulnerable locations for Diwali

The Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services Department has intensified its Diwali preparedness measures by placing personnel on round-the-clock alert and deploying fire tenders and rapid-response vehicles in vulnerable areas.

Hyderabad: The Telangana State Disaster Response and Fire Services Department has stepped up preparedness for Diwali, placing fire personnel and emergency response teams on round-the-clock alert to deal with fire accidents and other emergencies during the festival.

Fire stations across the State have been instructed to remain prepared for emergency calls, particularly during evening and night hours when the use of firecrackers, decorative lighting and traditional lamps increases.

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Residential colonies, commercial establishments, markets and industrial areas are among the locations where fire incidents are anticipated due to negligence, electrical short circuits and improper handling of inflammable materials.

A senior fire department official said special arrangements have been made to ensure a quick response in areas identified as vulnerable to fire accidents. Fire tenders have been stationed near major markets and clusters of firecracker shops, while smaller response vehicles and motorcycles have been positioned in congested localities and industrial pockets.

Places such as NTR Stadium, Numaish Grounds and Parade Grounds in Secunderabad are among the locations identified as high-risk zones. Areas that have reported fire accidents in the past have also been included in the department’s preparedness plan.

The department has mobilised additional personnel and cancelled leave for staff handling emergency calls at the Fire Control Room to ensure uninterrupted response to distress calls.

Fire incidents generally increase between 6 pm and midnight during the festival period, particularly in commercial areas where shops and establishments install elaborate decorative lighting and people burst crackers.