The heartbreaking incident in which at least 11 newborns died in a devastating fire at a hospital in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi last month has shaken the entire nation. An investigation by The Indian Express has pointed out how fire safety regulations are not up to code in hospitals where most of the fires have occurred in the last five years.
Fires in hospitals are not a new issue in India, but we have not learned from our mistakes. Fire safety measures are mandatory for all institutions, yet the system is fundamentally flawed due to rampant corruption in obtaining fire no-objection certificates.
The tragedy also highlights an even more troubling issue – our country is woefully under-resourced to fight fires. Be it lack of fire stations, lack of trained firefighters, or inadequate number of fire engines and equipment, the gaps are glaring and millions of lives are at risk.
This article draws on data from the Rajya Sabha’s responses to questions about fire safety measures, fire stations, firefighting vehicles, and personnel, revealing significant deficiencies in fire safety measures. Data collected by the Directorate General (Fire Services, Civil Defence, and Home Guard) in 2018 reveals alarming gaps in fire safety compared to benchmarks set by the RMSI 2012 report.
Fire protection requires adequately trained personnel and sophisticated equipment to effectively fight a disaster. According to global standards, India needs one firefighter for every 1,000 people to ensure adequate coverage. Considering India’s population of 1.4 billion, this translates to approximately 1.8 million firefighters. However, the current number of firefighters in India is only around 3,00,000, which means we are short by around 1.5 million firefighters – a staggering gap. On an average, each state has a shortage of 14,382 firefighters, with states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Maharashtra facing the worst deficit.
Uttar Pradesh – one of the largest states – is missing a staggering 79,866 firefighters, the largest shortage in the country. Bihar (44,528 missing firefighters) and Maharashtra (42,838 missing firefighters) are not far behind. On average, each state is short by 14,382 firefighters. It’s not just a number – lives are at risk if help doesn’t arrive in time. While smaller states like Goa and Lakshadweep are doing well, their challenges are less significant due to their smaller size and population.
In addition to fire extinguishers, a set of sophisticated fire fighting equipment is essential to minimize loss of life and property. Fire trucks and equipment are the tools firefighters need to do their job, but even here, the numbers are shockingly inadequate. Uttar Pradesh needs 4,155 more fire trucks, making it once again the worst-hit state. Bihar (2,775 trucks short) and Maharashtra (2,640 trucks short) also face major shortages. On average, each state is short by 707 fire trucks, indicating that, even when firefighters are available, they lack the vehicles and equipment needed to respond quickly.
A fire station is a central hub for firefighters – a trained force kept on high alert to respond quickly if a fire breaks out. But even these are not enough for India. Maharashtra is missing 917 fire stations, the highest in the country, followed by states like Rajasthan (748) and Bihar (543), which also face a significant gap. On average, each state is short by 144 fire stations.
What does this mean for the common man? If the fire station is too far away, it takes longer for firefighters to get to the scene of an emergency, reducing the chance of survival. States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra – some of India’s most densely populated states – are the most affected, meaning more people are at risk. On the other hand, smaller states and union territories like Goa, Sikkim and Lakshadweep are relatively better off, but that doesn’t mean they are completely safe.
When there aren’t enough firefighters, trucks, or fire stations, every second counts. In the Jhansi hospital fire, precious time was wasted, possibly making the tragedy even worse. Imagine waiting for help during a fire, knowing it might not come in time. This is the reality of millions of Indians. Fires in hospitals, schools, or crowded markets can turn fatal very quickly, especially when systems are not equipped to respond.
This situation demands immediate attention of the state governments to invest more in fire safety infrastructure to protect the precious lives of citizens.
Ahmed National Research Coordinator, Pratichi Institute, and Chakraborty Research Associate, Saber Institute