To strengthen the Fire and Emergency Services (F&ES), Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is going for induction of a foam-cum-water tender so as to be ready for any blaze, especially where oil spill is involved. Though not many fire incidents in the city require usage of foam, since one cannot predict when such situation might arise, the Fire Brigade unit wants to be ready for any eventuality. It’s better to be ready than face situation where one feels helpless. Moreover, more the equipment, more the option to cut down losses, stated Tushar Barhate, Chief Fire Officer (CFO), NMC. Barhate said, the Fire Brigade will be placing the order for the foam-cum-water tender. As to specifications, the foam tank would be of 12,000 litres, while the accompanying water tank would be 1,000 litres. To a question, Barhate said, these days, the delivery from companies is quite fast and within six months, the force would be having the new unit.

 

The new tender would have a pre-fitted 360 degrees water monitor. This would help in directly aiming at the blaze from a safer distance using the foam plus water mixture. In past, NMC did have one foam unit, but same was scrapped as per policy, it had completed 15-year period. As per rules, all Government-owned vehicles once they complete 15-year life period their registration cannot be renewed. So eventually, Fire Brigade decided to place the order for a new foam tender. The force, at present, does have cylinder filled with foam and if required, they are attached to water cannon and the mixture is sprayed at the required site, depending upon the situation on hand. As to the working of foam, Barhate said, the spraying of foam help prevent spread of the flames.

 

The oxygen supply is cut off from the oil blaze when spraying of water does not help. Once the flames are deprived of oxygen, the oil-induced fire can then easily be controlled. Otherwise, Barhate said fighting the oil blaze drains of the fighting force energy. Fire fighting of oil blaze is quite risky and traditional method of using is akin to adding fuel to fire. Hence, the foam can be quite handy in handling the dangerous situation because it may trigger major situation at the fire fighting site. Barhate also said, the issue with storing foam is it does not have a long shelf life. The foam loses its viscosity so one cannot invest much in having many foam cylinders. Even otherwise, the city does not have any industrial area, where oil spillage could trigger major fire. Just to be on safer side, NMC will be installing one middle storage foam unit. At times, the MIDC Fire Brigade asks for foam tender from NMC to help control the blaze in the industrial belt.