Udham Singh Nagar district has six fire stations and two sub-fire units. Rudrapur alone houses 42 firefighters, three water tenders, two high-pressure vehicles, and a bike with a fire backpack set. Firefighters are forced to travel 2km to the Jal Nigam office to refill water tendering due to the absence of a hydrant at the station. Traffic congestion further hampers operations, particularly on Kashipur Bypass Road, where the fire station is located. Officials acknowledge that the city’s hydrants require urgent repairs, with only three currently operational. \”Our quarters are in ruins, with broken doors, damaged windows, and waterlogging,\” said Tribhuvan Singh Mehra, another firefighter. \”Misinformation leads to fatal delays,\” said firefighter Seema Dhami. Officials have also called for reinstating the 101 emergency number for faster reporting. With summer approaching, firefighters demand immediate reforms, warning that delays could cost lives.
