Date:19/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/19/stories/2007041912210300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Facing the fire for the sake of others

Staff Reporter

Chief Minister's Medals presented to Fire and Emergency Services personnel

ALL SET: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and Home Minister M.P. Prakash arriving for a photo session at the function to present medals to personnel of the Fire Department in Bangalore on Wednesday. — Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

BANGALORE: "Fighting fire and rescuing people is part of our duty. These medals acknowledge that we have done what is expected of us."

This was reaction of Veerabhadraiah after receiving the Chief Minister's Medal from H.D. Kumaraswamy.

"I do not remember any significant rescue as all of them are important. Only that there is a change in each circumstance. It is an award for our team," said Mr. Veerabhadraiah, station officer of the Chickmagalur Fire Station.

He is not alone in being blasé about the honour. All his 44 comrades were matter-of-fact about it.

So how do they tackle an element that is feared by every living creature? One can swim in water, ride along with the wind. But fire?

"We just enter the place of fire disregarding the type and the effect of combustible material inside. I have to set an example for my men," said another medallist, M. Puttaswamy, recalling a recent operation in which two women were rescued from a fire on a two-storey building.

Communication too plays a big part, said another medallist, K.S. Anantapadmanabha, who works as the Assistant Sub-Inspector in the wireless

"We keep in touch with the force at the rescue and also with the senior officers. On many occasions timely communication has cut the losses."

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kumaraswamy said the role of firemen would gain added importance in the city with the increase in the number of highrise buildings.

He said the Government was considering increasing the allowance of the firemen.

Home Minister M.P. Prakash, Director-General and Inspector General of Police K. Srinivasan, Director-General of Police (Fire and Emergency Services) Jija M. Harisingh and Home Secretary Vatsala Vatsa were present.