Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a major boost to Goa’s emergency response infrastructure, the Directorate of Fire & Emergency Services has inducted a fleet of modern firefighting and support vehicles aimed at enhancing disaster preparedness, firefighting capability and public safety across the State. The vehicles were formally dedicated to public service during a ceremony held at the Directorate’s headquarters in St. Inez, Panaji.
The newly inducted fleet includes eight Mid-Sized Water Tenders (MSWTs), one state-of-the-art Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Response Vehicle, one 42-metre Turn Table Ladder (TTL), and eight Hero Super Splendor motorcycles, taking the total number of new vehicles added to the department’s operational fleet to 18.
Five of the MSWTs have been procured with financial assistance under the 15th Finance Commission at a cost of ₹5.43 crore and deployed at Canacona, Curchorem, Vasco, Pilerne and Pernem fire stations. Three additional MSWTs, funded by the Government of Goa at a cost of ₹4.49 crore, have replaced condemned vehicles at Margao, Ponda and Vasco fire stations.
The Directorate has also inducted a Hazmat Response Vehicle worth ₹5.39 crore, specially designed to tackle hazardous material incidents, chemical spills, industrial emergencies and complex rescue operations. Equipped with specialised protective gear, hydraulic rescue tools, advanced firefighting systems and other modern equipment, the vehicle significantly strengthens Goa’s capability to respond to technical and hazardous emergencies.
To improve high-rise firefighting and rescue operations, a 42-metre Turn Table Ladder has also been added to the fleet at a cost of ₹11.41 crore. The aerial appliance features a hydraulically operated 360-degree rotating extendable ladder with a rescue cage, enabling effective response to emergencies in tall buildings and elevated structures.
Additionally, eight Hero Super Splendor motorcycles have been procured through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for operational inspections, supervision and day-to-day duties across multiple fire stations and the Motor Transport Section.
All newly inducted firefighting vehicles have been equipped with GPS-based Vehicle Tracking Systems, enabling real-time monitoring from the State Fire Control Room, improving route optimisation, dispatch management, operational supervision and emergency response coordination across Goa.
The Directorate said the induction of the new fleet reflects the Government of Goa’s continued investment in strengthening frontline emergency services and will significantly enhance the State’s firefighting, rescue, disaster management and emergency preparedness capabilities.
