NEW DELHI: The Delhi Fire Service is in a bad shape, with about 48 per cent of the posts in the fire fighting staff lying vacant, including over 50 per cent of fireman's posts. According to data through the RTI Act, the total sanctioned posts of the Fire Fighting Staff is 3,312, out of that 1,583 posts are vacant. "Of the five sanctioned post for Chief Fire Officer, three are vacant. The Department is functioning with only four Divisional Officers, in place of nine sanctioned," the RTI reply said.
While the fireman or fire operator is considered a key part of the department, against the sanctioned 2,367 posts for fireman, only 1,114 are filled.
"A total of 1,253 posts of Fireman against the sanctioned 2,367 are vacant," it said.
The situation is no better for the communication staff — against the sanctioned post of 133, 80 posts are vacant. "A total of 65 posts for Radio Telephone Operator are vacant against the sanctioned 100. No person is assigned for the post of Communication Officer, Wireless Officer, Radio Operator, against the sanctioned two, one and six posts respectively," the RTI statement said. While the administrative control of Delhi Fire Service is with the Delhi government, as per its website, the recruiting agencies for the Department are the Union Public Service Commission and Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board (DSSSB), the RTI said.