The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) has launched a comprehensive ₹3.5-crore training programme to bolster its emergency response capabilities during floods and water-related incidents, a critical step as the city braces for the annual monsoon season. The initiative, the first of its kind since 2019, aims to train a new batch of personnel in specialised rescue techniques, ensuring timely intervention and citizen safety across the metropolis.
According to a senior MFB official, “While firefighting remains our core responsibility, responding effectively to floods and water emergencies is equally vital in Mumbai’s densely populated urban landscape.” The new programme addresses this dual mandate by equipping personnel with the skills needed for high-risk rescues, including water extraction, height evacuations, and rope operations. The advanced training initiative, undertaken in partnership with Item Sports & Private Limited, spans three years and encompasses multiple modules. Key courses include the 16-day Integrated Technical Rescue Course, a 10-day Maintenance Technical Course, and a 12-day Advanced Technical Rope Rescue Course. Collectively, these sessions enhance operational proficiency, enabling personnel to manage both routine emergencies and large-scale incidents with greater efficiency.
An MFB spokesperson highlighted the strategic importance of the programme, noting that most trained officials from the previous 2019 session have since retired. “This initiative ensures continuity in skills development while preparing new recruits for the challenges posed by Mumbai’s monsoon floods and complex urban rescue scenarios,” the official added. The training also has broader urban implications. Industry experts suggest that improved disaster response capabilities contribute to resilient and sustainable cities, reducing the human and economic toll of extreme weather events. By upgrading technical skills and integrating modern rescue techniques, the MFB aims to shorten response times, enhance public confidence, and safeguard critical infrastructure.
Municipal authorities emphasised that such programmes align with Mumbai’s vision for a safer, more inclusive, and equitable urban environment. Beyond immediate life-saving outcomes, the initiative reflects a long-term commitment to building zero-carbon and resilient urban services that protect citizens while minimising environmental impact. The programme is expected to produce a cadre of highly skilled personnel ready to respond across all city zones, ensuring preparedness for both anticipated and unforeseen flood emergencies. With monsoon patterns becoming increasingly unpredictable, the MFB’s investment in advanced training positions Mumbai as a model for proactive, citizen-centric urban emergency management.
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