On Saturday, as fire raged on one of a research farm of Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, it wasn't just firemen who doused it. There were a couple of firewomen too.
Shweta Damke and Kamini Gaikwad, both in their early twenties and both students of Sherwani College of Fire Engineering, Godhni, were on their toes in the scorching heat, busy assisting the firemen in fighting the fire.
"This was my first fire call and it was like an examination to test my capabilities. The experience was very fruitful," said Shweta. Commenting on the unusual field she chose, Shweta said, "I always wanted to do something different. I got inspiration from one of my friends living in my neighborhood. He provided all the information and then I made up my mind to become a firewoman." She also added that she never faced any kind of inferiority complex being a girl and was always supported by her teachers and trainers.
Kamini, who holds a BA degree too, said more girls should choose this avenue. "It felt great when I was fire-fighting along with firemen. I realized that being a girl cannot stop me from doing anything," she told TOI. M Q Khan, principal of Sherwani College of Fire Engineering said, "I never discriminated regarding gender at the time of admission. They have to undergo the same physical training and have to perform the same kind of work." He also added that there are many female fire personnel in cities like Delhi, Mumbai etc and wished the same for Nagpur. It was for the first time in NMC's fire and emergency services department when it had decided to give training to women firefighters. At present, these two women are going through the rigorous physical testing the fire department demands.
However, training of these students is proving a blessing in disguise for fire department. At present the NMC's fire department has sanctioned staff strength of 411 but is forced to make do with only 289. The remaining vacancies have not been filled and the NMC deploys about 100 daily wagers -who are not trained in fire fighting. Still, the shortfall is very significant. To meet this huge manpower gap, the department has taking the help of fire colleges in the district.
Chief fire officer Chandrashekhar Jadhav confirmed this and said there was a need to recruit more people. "At present the city needs over 700 fire fighters. It is good that we have girls coming into this profession. They are no less than firemen and are equally brave," he added.
Shweta Damke and Kamini Gaikwad, both in their early twenties and both students of Sherwani College of Fire Engineering, Godhni, were on their toes in the scorching heat, busy assisting the firemen in fighting the fire.
"This was my first fire call and it was like an examination to test my capabilities. The experience was very fruitful," said Shweta. Commenting on the unusual field she chose, Shweta said, "I always wanted to do something different. I got inspiration from one of my friends living in my neighborhood. He provided all the information and then I made up my mind to become a firewoman." She also added that she never faced any kind of inferiority complex being a girl and was always supported by her teachers and trainers.
Kamini, who holds a BA degree too, said more girls should choose this avenue. "It felt great when I was fire-fighting along with firemen. I realized that being a girl cannot stop me from doing anything," she told TOI. M Q Khan, principal of Sherwani College of Fire Engineering said, "I never discriminated regarding gender at the time of admission. They have to undergo the same physical training and have to perform the same kind of work." He also added that there are many female fire personnel in cities like Delhi, Mumbai etc and wished the same for Nagpur. It was for the first time in NMC's fire and emergency services department when it had decided to give training to women firefighters. At present, these two women are going through the rigorous physical testing the fire department demands.
However, training of these students is proving a blessing in disguise for fire department. At present the NMC's fire department has sanctioned staff strength of 411 but is forced to make do with only 289. The remaining vacancies have not been filled and the NMC deploys about 100 daily wagers -who are not trained in fire fighting. Still, the shortfall is very significant. To meet this huge manpower gap, the department has taking the help of fire colleges in the district.
Chief fire officer Chandrashekhar Jadhav confirmed this and said there was a need to recruit more people. "At present the city needs over 700 fire fighters. It is good that we have girls coming into this profession. They are no less than firemen and are equally brave," he added.
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