Fireman dies during training programme

A 47-year-old fireman collapsed on Monday morning during a training session at the BMC's fire department training centre in Wadala on Monday.

Around 7.45am, fireman Sarjerao Mahadeo Shenvi, leading the class in the 'time-bound training' exercise, suddenly suffered dizziness and collapsed. He was administered first aid and rushed to Sion hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.

Sources at Sion hospital said the cause of death could be stress related. "The post mortem was conducted but the result has been withheld pending visceral analysis and histopathological examination," said Dr Suleman Merchant, dean, Sion hospital.

"The training programme is held every day from 7 am to noon. Shenvi ran five laps and then lifted a ladder, which was when he collapsed," said a fireman who was present at the Wadala training ground.

Shenvi was an employee of the 1993 batch of firemen. According to the BMC's fire department, he did not have a history of cardiac ailments. His three-month promotion training programme was to be completed on October 13. Last year in April, Chief Fire Officer Uday Tatkare died of a heart attack while returning home from duty. The cause of the attack at that time was said to be stress.

"The task given to the fireman was part of regular training and normal routine. However, we have declared it death on-duty," said deputy chief fire officer P Rahangdale.

A Shiv-Sena led city firemen's union said the time-bound training exercise is to blame for the death. "It is dangerous and stressful. We have written to the administration on numerous occasions demanding that this component be removed from the training routine but they did not listen. The officers responsible for Shenvi's death should be penalised. Otherwise, we will take the matter to court," said union president Suryakant Mahadik.

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