In A First, Mumbai Fire Brigade Appoints Women Station Officers
Two women officers have received promotions to the rank of Station Officer (SO) from their prior positions as Assistant Station Officers (ASOs), marking a first in the history of the Mumbai Fire Brigade. The officers will now be in charge of responding to fire emergency calls round-the-clock in addition to carrying out their other duties as the first commanding officers of the fire stations they are placed in.
In 2012, Sunita Khot (35), and Shubhangi Bhor (33), both ASOs, joined the Mumbai Fire Brigade. After serving for ten years as second in charge, Sunita and Shubhangi, both officers in command, reported to work at 6.30 am on Thursday at the Byculla Fire Station, which is connected to the Mumbai Fire Brigade headquarters.
They switched from an eight-hour shift to a 24-hour one. “We now have to attend every emergency call received by the Mumbai Fire Brigade at all times. It also means more administrative work and more responsibility,” Shubhangi said.
To guarantee their availability at all times, each have been given staff quarters close to their respective fire stations.
Sunita admitted to feeling both anxious and excited as she remarked, “The responsibility of attending emergency calls round the clock is all about perspective for me. I have had ten years of service in the Mumbai Fire Brigade and want to continue doing the job with more vigour and commitment.”
For her actions during the 2018 fire at Crystal Towers in Parel, Sunita was given a Bravery Award in 2019 by a Mumbai media agency. She climbed the 16-storey building while perched on a 68-metre-tall hydraulic platform ladder, saving two pregnant women and an elderly person who had become trapped at a window that was spewing smoke and flames.
“There was a lot of panic among residents of Crystal Towers. It was also challenging as they climbed onto the ladder’s platform from the window and were brought down safely. I met one of these women while responding to another fire call in Dadar later and she recognised me. I find the work I do very fulfilling,” Sunita said.
Sunita’s ten-year experience with the Mumbai Fire Brigade has been one of discovery and growth. She stated, “I used to be afraid of small kitchen flames because of ‘tadkas’ (seasoning) while cooking. Even that used to scare me. Firefighting comes with helping people. It is a different experience.”
There are 127 women personnel in the Mumbai Fire Brigade.
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