Ahmedabad: AMC hikes fire service charges for calls outside city after 15 years

Ahmedabad: In a standing committee meeting held on Thursday, a proposal was cleared to increase fire vehicle and fuel charges for AMC-run fire and emergency services when responding to fire or rescue calls beyond Ahmedabad city limits or within GIDC areas. After a gap of 15 years, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation raised the fire vehicle charge for attending calls outside city limits from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,600 per eight-hour shift, and Rs 200 for every subsequent hour. Charges for additional equipment, including boats, have also been revised upwards.

Fuel costs will be calculated and recovered from the concerned party based on vehicle mileage and prevailing fuel prices.

Breathing apparatus cylinder charge has been fixed at Rs 300 per cylinder. Staff allowances payable to deployed staff must be paid according to prescribed minimum wage laws.

In cases of rescue operations — drowning, building collapses, road accidents, or drainage mishaps — the rate is Rs 1,600 for the first eight hours and Rs 200 for every additional hour. For chemical or gas leakage calls, the charge for the first eight-hour shift is Rs 1,600.

For boat deployment, the rate is Rs 1,600 for an eight-hour shift, and Rs 200 for every additional hour.

In 2011-12, standard fire calls were charged at Rs 1,000 per eight-hour shift, with Rs 250 for every additional two hours. Cylinder charges were Rs 100 per unit. Foam tenders (for oil, petrol or diesel fires) were billed at Rs 1,000 for eight hours and Rs 250 for every additional two hours. General rescue calls, including drowning, collapses and accidents, were charged Rs 500 for the first eight hours and Rs 125 for every subsequent two hours. Chemical or gas leakage calls were priced at Rs 1,000 for the first eight-hour shift and Rs 250 for every additional two hours. Private deployment or standby duty was charged Rs 500 per eight-hour shift and Rs 125 for every additional two hours. Boat deployment cost was Rs 500 per eight-hour shift, and Rs 125 for every subsequent two hours.