Shortage of Fire Snorkel Vehicles in Quetta: Firefighting Operations Become Impossibl

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Exclusive Interview with Abdul Haq Achakzai, Chief Fire Officer, Metropolitan Corporation Quetta

Quetta (Balochistan24) – In an important statement regarding the city’s firefighting capacity, Abdul Haq Achakzai, Chief Fire Officer of Metropolitan Corporation Quetta, highlighted a severe shortage of fire snorkel vehicles in the city.

He explained that the fire snorkel is the most crucial firefighting vehicle, and without it, controlling fires in large buildings and narrow streets has become nearly impossible.

Achakzai further emphasized, “The firefighting vehicles available in Quetta are very limited, and we need a specialized vehicle — the fire snorkel — to handle fires effectively, particularly in high-rise buildings and narrow streets.”

He also mentioned that other provinces have five to ten such vehicles, but Quetta still doesn’t have a single fire snorkel vehicle, which presents a significant gap given the city’s needs.

The fire snorkel vehicle, also known as an “amplified fire truck” or “high-rise fighter,” is not only used for extinguishing fires but also plays an essential role in evacuating people trapped in high-rise buildings and reducing hazards during fires.

“This vehicle is not only vital for extinguishing fires but is also indispensable for the safety of the city, particularly in areas with high-rise buildings and narrow streets, where its use becomes absolutely necessary,” explained Achakzai.

The Chief Fire Officer also pointed out that while there is a shortage of fire snorkel vehicles in Quetta, the increasing number of high-rise buildings in many parts of the city has compounded the problem.

“If we consider that the buildings in Quetta have increased by up to 60%, and most of them were constructed without proper approval, it becomes extremely difficult to provide immediate assistance in case of a fire.”

“We need modern firefighting technology to tackle fires in such buildings, and the fire snorkel vehicle is the best solution for this,” he added. Unfortunately, despite the growing need, this essential vehicle has not yet been made available in Quetta, though other provinces already have these vehicles.

Achakzai appealed to the government and relevant authorities to understand the critical nature of this issue and take immediate action to purchase at least one fire snorkel vehicle for the city. “This vehicle is essential not only for extinguishing fires but also for the overall safety of the citizens,” he stressed.

He also highlighted that many parts of the city, such as Shabnam Market and other narrow streets, are inaccessible to larger firefighting vehicles.

“If a fire breaks out in these areas, it becomes incredibly difficult to control it immediately. In such situations, the presence of a fire snorkel vehicle is vital.”

Achakzai explained that the fire snorkel vehicle is available in countries such as Japan, Germany, and England, with the current price reaching approximately 650 million Pakistani rupees

“In the past, when the price of this vehicle was 220 million rupees, we attempted to acquire it, but we have yet to receive it,” he said.

“If the government cannot purchase five or six of these vehicles, at least one should be procured to enhance the city’s fire safety capabilities,” he added.

The Chief Fire Officer emphasized that fire prevention measures should not be limited to acquiring new vehicles. “We must increase fire safety awareness and train the public on how to avoid fire hazards.

” He also stressed the importance of enforcing fire safety regulations in the construction of buildings to minimize fire risks.

Achakzai concluded by stating that the shortage of fire snorkel vehicles is severely hindering the city’s firefighting operations, and the immediate acquisition of this vehicle is a crucial step toward ensuring the safety of Quetta’s citizens.

He urged the government to recognize the seriousness of this issue and prioritize the purchase of fire snorkel vehicles to improve fire safety in the

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