Chennai: Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services will recruit women firefighters for frontline duties and implement a modernisation programme involving new fire engines, drones, high-rise rescue vehicles and specialised equipment during 2026-27, as part of measures to strengthen emergency response and rescue operations.Govt will replace ageing vehicles with 50 water tenders at a cost of ₹60 crore. Another 50 Quick Response Vehicles equipped with water-mist technology will be procured for ₹17.5 crore to improve response times on congested roads.The department will strengthen its high-rise firefighting capability with two 54-metre Aerial Ladder Platform vehicles costing ₹60 crore. They will be stationed in Kancheepuram and Hosur to respond to fires in industrial corridors.The induction of women firefighters will increase women’s participation in emergency response. Their deployment is expected to strengthen rescue operations during emergencies involving women and children. The designation “Fireman” will also be changed to the gender-neutral “Firefighter”.The department will procure 10 heavy-duty wreckers for ₹8 crore and 50 hydraulic Combi-tools for ₹6 crore to rescue people trapped in crashed vehicles and collapsed structures.Technology will be expanded through 25 surveillance drones costing ₹2 crore to track fires and locate people during floods and disasters. Ten payload drones costing ₹1.20 crore will transport medicines, relief material and rescue equipment to inaccessible areas. The department will also have dedicated drones to assess fire conditions before rescue personnel enter affected areas.Nine new fire stations will be established at a cost of ₹20.59 crore. Six stations will come up at Porur, Sengipatti, Ayothiapattinam, Ponnerikarai, Thiruppuvanam and Vadamadurai, while three will be established in SIPCOT industrial parks at Mambakkam, Perundurai and Cheyyar.Existing stations at six locations will be upgraded for ₹12.84 crore, while permanent buildings will be constructed for 15 stations at ₹65.90 crore.New district offices will be established at Tambaram and Avadi. Ten specialised teams will inspect high-rise buildings, factories and commercial establishments for fire-safety compliance.State Fire and Rescue Services Academy at Kalavakkam in Chengalpattu will be expanded with training and administrative facilities at a cost of ₹50 crore. Uniform allowance for fire personnel will be brought on a par with the police department. The number of Chief Minister’s Fire Service Medals awarded annually will increase from 120 to 240, while the monthly allowance for medal recipients will rise from ₹400 to ₹500.
