The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s Fire and Emergency Services Department is being integrated with the national emergency helpline 112 to reduce response time during fires and other emergencies. Around 100 fire department vehicles have been equipped with GPS trackers, digital tablets and advanced camera systems. The new system is expected to be officially launched within the next couple of days.
Under the new system, when a person calls 112, the control room will immediately identify the location of the emergency and track nearby fire vehicles through GPS. The closest available fire tender will receive the incident details, location and the shortest route directly on the driver’s tablet. The existing 101 fire emergency number will also be diverted to 112 under the new arrangement.
The fire vehicles have also been fitted with 360-degree front cameras and rear cameras. Once a vehicle reaches the incident location, live visuals will be streamed to the Paldi Central Control Room. Officials will be able to assess the severity of the fire, identify possible chemical hazards and determine whether additional water tenders, hydraulic platforms or ambulances are required. GPS and camera records will also track vehicle movements and response times.
The integrated system is expected to save valuable time by allowing the nearest fire vehicle, including one already operating on the road, to be dispatched directly to an emergency instead of waiting for a vehicle to leave a fire station. The national 112 system is designed as a unified emergency response platform connecting services such as police, fire, health and disaster response.
