Firemen conduct mock drill at Kurichi lake

Coimbatore: Personnel from three fire stations here conducted a mock exercise at Kurichi lake on Monday evening, ahead of the northeast monsoon.

Thirty fire fighters from Coimbatore south, Coimbatore north, Ganapathy fire station and fire prevention wing attended the northeast monsoon trial and evacuation drill.

Motorists stopped their vehicle on the lake bund to watch a six-member team on a lifeboat saving a firefighter, who was ‘drowning’. The drill was conducted twice.

District fire officer R Jegadish, assistant district fire officer S Thavamani and station fire officers participated in the mock drill. “The exercise was to teach firefighters skills to rescue people during the rainy season from lakes and rivers. We used lifebuoy, life jackets and a lifeboat for the exercise. We plan to conduct a similar exercise in Bhavani river at Mettupalayam on Tuesday. Firefighters from Mettupalayam, Annur and Periyanaickenpalayam will participate in the mock exercise,” said Thavamani.