Next time you call the Fire department during an emergency,women may come to your rescue. The Municipal Corporation has decided to recruit women in the Fire Wing. The proposal was mooted in the Fire and Emergency Services Committee meeting on Tuesday,and was favoured by members. Now,clearance has been given to fill up 47 posts of firemen; applications from both men and women would be invited. Chairman of the MC Fire and Emergency Services Committee Arshad Khan said,For two years discussions were being held on recruiting women in the Fire department,but nothing materialised. During the meeting of the committee held yesterday,the decision (to recruit women) was taken. Women can be inducted in the Army,Navy and the BSF. The Fire department should also be opened for them, Khan added. Women firefighters already exist in a number of states. The procedure to recruit would be same as men: there would be a written exam followed by a physical fitness test. Another member of the committee M P S Chawla said it had been recommended that among women,sportspersons be given preference,as they are fitter. Additional Commissioner-cum-Chief Fire Officer P K Sharma said advertisements would be issued in the coming days. There are no women in active service in the Fire department. They generally apply for posts like telephone operators. Once the posts for firefighters are advertised,we will see the response, he said.
