{"id":131300,"date":"2025-06-11T16:41:08","date_gmt":"2025-06-11T11:11:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/homesbuildings.com\/?p=36545"},"modified":"2025-06-11T16:41:08","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T11:11:08","slug":"skyline-on-fire-mumbais-chief-fire-officer-sounds-the-alarm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/?p=131300","title":{"rendered":"SKYLINE ON FIRE MUMBAI\u2019S CHIEF FIRE OFFICER SOUNDS THE ALARM"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a city where skyscrapers rise higher by the day, fire safety is a concern that can no
\nlonger be ignored. Leading the charge to keep Mumbai safe from towering infernos
\nis RAVINDRA AMBULGEKAR<\/strong>, the city\u2019s Chief Fire Officer. From battling flames in
\ncongested slums to scaling high-rises with outdated equipment, Ambulgekar and his
\nteam face daily challenges that most Mumbaikars never see.<\/p>\n

Mumbai\u2019s skyline has undergone a dramatic transformation. As skyscrapers rise, what changes have you implemented to ensure fire safety keeps pace?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The city\u2019s growth is a sign of progress, and with that, we\u2019re evolving too. The Mumbai Fire Brigade is actively aligning with the Development Control Regulations 2034 and the Maharashtra Fire and Life Safety Measures Act. Our priority is to ensure that every high-rise is equipped with robust firefighting systems, and we\u2019re working closely with developers to make that happen. It\u2019s not about catching them out \u2013 it\u2019s about supporting them to build safer structures.<\/p>\n

High-rise fires present unique <\/strong>challenges. What\u2019s your biggest<\/strong>
\nconcern when responding to such <\/strong>incidents?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The sheer height of these structures is a challenge. But more than that, it\u2019s about ensuring that the fire safety systems in place are functional. If those systems are well-maintained, we can control a fire in its initial stages. Our focus is on training residents and building management to effectively use these systems. Awareness is key \u2013 because when people know how to respond, they become our allies in fire prevention.<\/p>\n

What are some recent initiatives <\/strong>to enhance fire safety in older <\/strong>buildings?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We\u2019re working on a proactive outreach program, conducting workshops and awareness sessions in older societies. The goal is to educate residents on maintaining firefighting systems, keeping exits clear, and conducting regular fire drills. We\u2019re also advising them on simple but impactful changes \u2013 like installing clear signage, ensuring extinguishers are accessible, and keeping electrical wiring in good condition. We believe that every building, old or new, can be made safer with the right guidance and support.<\/p>\n

How do you motivate your team to <\/strong>keep going, despite the risks?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Firefighting is not just a job \u2013 it\u2019s a calling. Our men and women are trained to stay calm under pressure and to keep going, no matter what. The motivation comes from knowing that every call we respond to is a chance to save a life. We\u2019re not heroes \u2013 we\u2019re just people doing what we\u2019re trained to do. And we\u2019re supported by a strong training framework that prepares us for every scenario, from high-rise rescues to navigating congested lanes.<\/p>\n

Electric vehicles and lithium <\/strong>batteries are gaining popularity. <\/strong>What\u2019s your message to residents <\/strong>about their safe use?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

EVs are a great step toward a cleaner future, but they require responsible use. We advise residents to charge EVs in open areas, away from flammable materials. It\u2019s also crucial to follow manufacturer guidelines and avoid overloading circuits. Our aim is to educate the public about these new risks without discouraging the adoption of cleaner technologies.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve led the Mumbai Fire <\/strong>Brigade for years. What\u2019s the <\/strong>one thing you wish every Mumbaikar <\/strong>understood about fire safety?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Fire safety isn\u2019t just the responsibility of the fire department \u2013 it\u2019s everyone\u2019s responsibility. If I had ten seconds with every Mumbaikar, I\u2019d say this: Stay aware, stay prepared. Know where the exits are, keep them clear, and learn how to use basic firefighting equipment. Fire doesn\u2019t give you a second chance \u2013 but preparation does.<\/p>\n

How do you manage the emotional <\/strong>toll of witnessing tragedies that <\/strong>could have been prevented?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s not easy. We\u2019re human, too. We see things that stay with us \u2013 familie that didn\u2019t make it out, lives that were lost because of a locked exit or a malfunctioning alarm. But we channel that emotion into action. We train harder, we educate more, we advocate for better systems. Every incident is a lesson, and our job is to ensure that the next time, we\u2019re even more prepared.<\/p>\n

In one sentence, how would you <\/strong>describe your team?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Dedicated, resilient, and ready \u2013 always ready to answer the call, no matter what.<\/p>\n

Lastly, what drives you to keep <\/strong>going, despite the risks that your <\/strong>team takes?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Beyond us, there is God. But here, it\u2019s our responsibility to protect this city.
\nWe are here to serve, and that\u2019s what we will continue to do.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In a city where skyscrapers rise higher by the day, fire safety is a concern that can no longer be<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":131359,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4424,4458],"tags":[7082,7083,7084,7085,781],"class_list":["post-131300","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-interviews","category-visionaries","tag-fire-prevention","tag-fire-safety-regulations","tag-high-rise-safety","tag-mumbai-fire-brigade","tag-urban-safety"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131300","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=131300"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131300\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/131359"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=131300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=131300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/urbanacres.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=131300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}