Sri Vijaya Puram | February 2, 2026
Concerns have been raised over the acute shortage of manpower and infrastructure in the Fire & Emergency Services of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, with a renewed call for urgent recruitment and strengthening of facilities, particularly in the vulnerable Bambooflat area.
In a representation addressed to the Chief Fire Officer, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Abhi Bhusan Ghosh, General Secretary, highlighted that no fresh recruitment has reportedly taken place in the Fire Services for over 15 years. The prolonged recruitment gap, he stated, has resulted in a severe staff shortage, with most of the existing personnel now being senior in age, making it increasingly difficult for them to carry out physically demanding emergency duties.
According to the representation, Fire & Emergency Services personnel in the islands are not only engaged in firefighting operations but are also routinely deployed for animal rescues, handling tree fall incidents, road accidents, flood-related emergencies, and disaster response. These responsibilities, coupled with the islands’ challenging climatic conditions marked by heavy rainfall, high humidity, and continuous operational stress, demand a high level of physical fitness.
It was pointed out that while senior personnel are promoted to supervisory and management roles as part of standard service progression, the absence of corresponding recruitment of younger staff has left a critical gap at the operational level. The representation also noted that Fire Services often remain under-recognised despite being a frontline emergency response force, which adversely affects morale and efficiency.
Special concern was expressed over the Bambooflat area, described as a densely populated and high-risk zone due to the presence of a large LPG plant, a major power station, and thick residential settlements. The Fire Station at Bambooflat reportedly has only one fire vehicle with a tanker capacity of approximately 4,000 to 5,000 litres, which is considered inadequate to handle a major fire or industrial accident.
The nearest alternative Fire Station at Ferrargunj is located at a considerable distance, and the time required for reinforcements to arrive could prove critical during emergencies, potentially leading to loss of life and property. In view of this, the need for additional fire vehicles and enhanced water-carrying capacity at Bambooflat has been emphasised to ensure immediate secondary response capability.
The representation urged the authorities to consider immediate release of new vacancies in the Fire & Emergency Services, recruitment of young and physically fit personnel to support senior staff, and urgent strengthening of the Bambooflat Fire Station with additional vehicles and resources.
The appeal underscored that these measures are essential in the interest of public safety and effective disaster management in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
