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Sr. No. 02 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR AND LADAKH AT JAMMU (TH. VIRTUAL MODE)

WP(C)PIL 13/2024 CM(5842/2024)

MOHD RAHOOF KHAN …Petitioner(s)/appellant(s)

Through: Mr. Rahoof Khan, Advocate Petitioner in person.

Vs.

UNION TERRITORY OF J AND K AND ORS ...Respondent(s)

Through: Ms. Monika Kohli, Sr. AAG.

CORAM:

HON’BLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE YASH PAUL BOURNEY, JUDGE

O R D E R

27.10.2026

1. The petitioner, appearing in person, submits that there is a gross violation of policy, thereby putting the general public at risk due to the non-implementation of the firefighting policy.

2. Learned Senior AAG Ms. Monika Kohli, counsel appearing for the respondents, has taken this Court to paragraph 7 of her reply filed on 02.07.2025, in which the parameters laid down by the Standing Fire Advisory Council (SFAC), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India have been set out.

3. Paragraph 7 reads as follows:

7. In reply to Para 09 of the writ petition, it is respectfully submitted that the criteria for establishment of Fire Fighting Stations at different areas follows as under:- The standing Fire Advisory Council (SFAC) Ministry of Home Affairs Govt. of India has from time to time laid down guidelines for establishment of Fire Stations in the country on the following parameters:- I. Population II. Topography III. Risk Factor IV. Response Time based on distance from nearest fire stations.

For 50000 population one "D" category Fire Station has to be provided. In Urban areas one Fire Station is recommended per 04 sq. miles- 10.24 kms (say10 sq Kms). The risk factor has been divided into three zones based on risk hazard analysis as such a town has to be divided in three major groups.

1. High Risk Areas : "A" Zone 2. Medium Risk Areas :“B” Zone 3. Low Risk Areas :"C" Zone Another "D" zone areas has been suggested for least or no risk zones mainly open or rural areas based on which aforesaid scales have been suggested which is also known as peace time primary scale.

The 10 sq. km area per Fire Station scale in view of the above is not mandatory. In high risk zones the areas may be lowered. The following response time has been suggested by Standing Fire Advisory Council for various risk zone:- i. As per the norms the first fire tender should reach to the risk category of class A,B,C in 3 to 5 minutes and 20 minutes in D category Where A is high vulnerability, B is medium vulnerability, C is low vulnerability and D is for rural areas; ii. One fire tender per 50,000 population upto 3 lack population. One additional fire tender per one lakh of population or a fraction thereof plus a reserve of 20% of the total water tender. In industrial cities and areas of high fire risk, the scale and other equipment’s should be determined on the basis of actual survey of the area to be protected'

iii. One fire station per 10sq.km. area in urban area and 50 sq. kms in rural area; iv. Fire Services response time maximum 5 minutes in urban area and 20 minutes in rural area;

v. One rescue tender per 3 to 10 lakhs population while it should be augmented by additional rescue tender for every additional 10 lakhs population. vi. One or more special vehicles viz Turn Table Ladder, Hydraulic Platform, Emergency Tender/ Advance Rescue Tender, Extra Heavy Water Tender, Hose laying Tender, Lighting Van, Control Post Van, Break Down Van, Mobile Workshop for repairs of Fire appliances, Mobile: Workshop for Telecom equipments etc. should be provided at selected fire stations or fire service divisional headquarter, according to local circumstances (number can be decided with the advice of local fire chief on the basis of actual risk analysis).