Delhi Fire Brigade Faces Crisis: Only 25 Officers to Manage 68 Fire Stations

New Delhi: The backbone of Delhi’s fire safety system—the Fire Brigade—is currently facing a severe manpower crisis. Sources reveal that out of 90 Station Officer posts in the Delhi Fire Service, nearly 65 have been vacant for years, leaving just 25 officers to manage 68 fire stations across the city.

Vacancies Since 2012
Of the 65 vacant posts, 45 are direct recruitment positions, which have remained unfilled for over a decade. These posts are to be filled through UPSC examinations, but no recruitment has taken place since 2012. Even in 2014, a vacancy notice was issued but was canceled immediately. The reasons for this prolonged delay remain unclear.

The remaining 20 posts are promotion-based, but no eligible officers are available for promotion, leaving these positions vacant as well. As a result, the Fire Brigade is running with only a fraction of its required leadership.

Critical Role of Station Officers
The Delhi Fire Service operates through 7 zones—East, West, New Delhi, South, Central, North West, and North—covering 9 districts and 68 fire stations. Station Officers are pivotal in managing both operational and administrative duties. They lead teams consisting of firemen, fire operators, leading firemen, and sub-officers. They also implement orders from headquarters and ensure smooth functioning at the station level.

Despite the critical role of Station Officers, the posts remain unfilled, putting the city’s fire safety at significant risk.