Temporary unit of Kozhikode Beach fire station to open soon

Responding to the traders’ community’s call to intensify firefighting measures ahead of the summer season, efforts are underway to open a temporary unit of the Kozhikode Beach fire station, which was closed three years ago for reconstruction. Fire and Rescue Services officials said that a suitable building near the Corporation Stadium, recently inspected and approved by the authorities, will soon be allotted for the emergency service.

At least two spacious rooms will be provided for the firefighting unit to operate its office and store emergency equipment. Parking space for fire engines will be arranged near the taxi stand. The number of personnel to be deployed will be finalised after receiving approval from higher authorities.

For over three years, requests from city residents and traders to set up a temporary fire station or mobile unit to address emergency situations had remained pending, reportedly due to a shortage of funds. During this period, rescue squads from the Meenchanda and Vellimadukunnu stations had been responding to emergency calls in the city.

Leaders of various merchant organisations and residents’ forums said the redeployment of personnel from the Beach station had severely affected the fire force’s rapid response capability within the city limits. They alleged that the authorities had even ignored a proposal from a corporate firm that offered about 40 cents of land to set up a temporary facility.

“Memorandums had been submitted several times to the Chief Minister and other authorities concerned, highlighting the importance of having a fire station in the heart of the city. In some recent incidents, firefighters themselves struggled to respond quickly due to the absence of an accessible station,” said Mohamed Najeeb, a textile entrepreneur in Kozhikode city. He added that the demand to open a mobile unit exclusively for the city had still not been addressed.

According to Fire and Rescue Services department officials, the Kozhikode Beach station earlier had a strength of more than 30 fire officers who were redeployed to nearby stations after the building was declared unfit. However, they said instructions had been issued to mobilise the same squad for emergency calls within the station’s jurisdiction.

“There were three major fire outbreaks in Kozhikode city within a year, in which traders suffered heavy losses. If the Beach station had been functional, early intervention would have been possible,” said a functionary of the Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti. He added that speeding up the reconstruction of the Beach fire station building should be given priority instead of relying solely on a temporary facility.