New Delhi: Despite a complete ban on sale and use of firecrackers, the Delhi Fire Service has cancelled leave applications of its staffers and deployed 2,500 personnel on Diwali to deal with any emergency in the national capital, officials said on Thursday.
Earlier this week, the National Green Tribunal had imposed a total ban on the sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in the National Capital Region from midnight of November 9 to the midnight of November 30.
According to the fire department, it received at least 280 calls on Diwali last year but owing to a complete ban on sale and usage of firecrackers, it is expecting 20-25 per cent less fire-related calls this year.
However, gearing up for the occasion, its officers have ensured that vehicles are fully repaired and equipped to handle emergencies.
Delhi Fire Services Director Atul Garg said, "Although there is a complete ban on sale and usage of firecrackers, the fire department is completely alert and equipped to deal with any emergencies. Like every year, all fire personnel will be on duty on Diwali. We have also identified around 24 spots where our vehicles will be deployed tomorrow as well as on the day of Diwali to attend any emergency."
The spots have been identified based on analysis of call records data of last year from where the fire service received maximum calls on Diwali including the locations where the vehicles took longer time to reach, he said.