Coimbatore firefighters have raised concerns over a shortage of essential protective equipment, warning that the gap is putting their safety at risk during emergency operations.
The issue came into focus during last month’s incident involving the explosion of 22 cylinders, when around 60 personnel took part in rescue and firefighting work. Even firefighters who were on leave reportedly rushed in after learning about the situation, as multiple cylinders were in a swollen, near-explosion state.
Despite the danger—including cylinders exploding close to them—firefighters continued their work. However, some personnel were seen operating without proper safety boots, wearing sandals instead, and without protective gloves.
Firefighters said stations receive only a limited number of safety kits, leading to gear being shared between day and night shifts. They added that when a major accident requires all personnel to report at once, shortages become acute.
They also pointed to helmet fit as a safety concern, saying some helmets do not sit securely and can slip down during work, affecting visibility. Firefighters urged that adjustable helmets and individual allocation of protective equipment be ensured for every firefighter.
