The local leaders in Trashigang are asking for a fire brigade in Rangjung Town to cater to any fire emergencies for eight gewogs in upper Trashigang. At the moment, the firefighting service comes from Trashigang town, which is about 18 kilometres from Rangjung. The local leaders raised the issue during the recently concluded Dzongkhag Tshogdu. The district has only two firefighting trucks.
The two firefighting trucks are based at the Trashigang Police Station.
The gewogs, which will benefit from a fire brigade in Rangjung Town are Merak, Sakteng, Phongmey, Radhi, Shongphu, Bartsham, and Bidung.
These gewogs are between 18 to 50 kilometres distance from the Trashigang Police Station.
“Rangjung is our satellite town and we have a small town there. So, if we have a firefighter vehicle in Rangjung town, people of eight gewogs will be benefited if there are any fire incidents. As fire-related incidences are increasing every year, our people can receive immediate service,” said Chador Phuntsho, Bidung Gup.
“We cannot say when such disasters will occur. So, if we have a fire brigade nearby, we might be able to control the fire on time. That is why we have put up the matter for discussion,” said Younten Phuntsho, Radhi Gup.
“We inform the district and the police about fire incidences and they did provide us with the fire fighting vehicle. However, as it is located far away from here, by the time the vehicle reaches the incidence site, we cannot save anything,” said Namgay Wangdi, Phongmey Gup.
The Trashigang Police Superintendent says the two firefighting trucks are kept on standby for any emergencies in the Dzong. He added that services are provided as and when required to other gewogs.
The police superintendent said that due to budget constraints, a fire fighting truck cannot be sent to Ranjung immediately.
He added that preventive measures like proper electrification of houses and correct usage of heating appliances should be done to prevent house fires.
He also said that every household and shop should have fire extinguishers and that the police is willing to provide hands-on training on fire preventative measures and usage of fire extinguishers from time to time.
The Dzongkhag Tshogdu decided to write to the concerned authority regarding the need for an additional firefighting truck in Trashigang.
In the past two years, Trashigang district recorded 11 forest fires. Similarly, four houses were gutted by fire between last year and this year.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Sherub Dorji
