The BMC has made provisions for robotic drone buoys and special firefighting backpacks in the budget, according to the budget statement. “BMC has made provision of Rs 232 crore for strengthening the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) in the civic budget of 2024-25. This provision will be used to procure new equipment and for the construction of new fire stations,” said civic chief Iqbal Singh Chahal.
To upgrade the coastal security plan, the civic body will be purchasing six robotic lifesaving buoys for drowning rescues. At the same time, 65 water mist/Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) technology-based backpacks will be procured to tackle fires in high-rises.
The robotic buoys will have a range of 2 km, enabling lifeguards to operate them remotely without risking their own lives. “The buoys would be programmed to return to the landing point even if the battery is discharged,” the officer said, adding that they would especially be helpful during the monsoon when the sea is rough.
Another official said that the buoys can carry one person back to shore at a time, but can keep two to three people afloat until lifeguards reach them. “The drone is not dependent on the internet or any tower signal. This is particularly helpful because, in the event of a cyclone or earthquake, there will be network issues,” the official said.
Meanwhile, an officer working on the backpack project told mid-day that these backpacks are like fire extinguishers. “The foam system has more impact on firefighting as compared to chemical extinguishers. Foam is generally used for chemical fires, but can also be used for all other kinds of fires. These CAFS backpacks will be used for firefighting in high-rises as they are easy to carry.”
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