Ahmedabad Fire Brigade Recruitment Rules Spark Row; Employees Seek Relaxation, Physical Test For Departmental Staff

Recruitment for key posts in the Ahmedabad Fire Brigade has triggered discontent among serving firefighters, with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Employees’ Association seeking changes in eligibility criteria and relaxations for departmental staff applying for the post of Sub-Fire Officer.

The association has submitted a written representation to the Municipal Commissioner, arguing that the current recruitment rules do not provide adequate consideration to employees who have served in the fire brigade for several years.

The AMC has announced recruitment for the posts of Chief Fire Officer, Deputy Chief Fire Officer and Sub-Fire Officer. The post of Chief Fire Officer has remained vacant since the arrest of former incumbent Amit Dongre in a bribery case.

Firefighters Seek Relaxation In Sub-Fire Officer Eligibility

According to the association's representation, candidates applying for the Sub-Fire Officer post are required to possess a bachelor's degree, five years of experience as a Jamadar (Leading Fireman), and another five years of experience after obtaining the Sub-Fire Officer course certification from Nagpur.

The association has objected to these requirements, arguing that they could disadvantage serving fire brigade personnel.

It has demanded that appropriate relaxations be provided to employees who have already spent years working in the department.

Demand For Physical Test Exemption

The association has also sought relaxation from the physical test for existing departmental employees.

It argued that fire brigade personnel had already undergone and cleared physical tests when they were initially recruited as firemen by the corporation.

The association has therefore demanded that employees who have subsequently gained years of experience in the department should be granted the necessary exemption during the current recruitment process.

Association Questions Female Reservation Provision

The representation has also raised questions over a provision reserving a seat for a female candidate in the Sub-Fire Officer recruitment.

The association claims that similar provisions do not exist in other related recruitment exercises and has questioned why such a reservation has been introduced specifically for the Sub-Fire Officer post.

The employees’ body has further alleged that the provision may have been introduced with a particular individual in mind. It referred to speculation that the wife of an officer who meets the prescribed qualifications could benefit from the provision.

The allegation has been raised by the association in its representation and would require verification from the civic administration.

Discrepancy Alleged In Deputy Chief Fire Officer Criteria

The association has also flagged what it describes as a discrepancy in the experience requirements for the post of Deputy Chief Fire Officer.

According to the representation, external candidates are required to have five years of experience as a Divisional Fire Officer, while Divisional Fire Officers currently serving in the Ahmedabad Fire Department are required to have 10 years of experience.

The association has argued that the difference could make it difficult for serving officers to qualify for the recruitment.

It has demanded appropriate relaxation in the experience requirement for departmental officers.

Association Seeks Verification Of External Candidates' Experience

The employees’ association has also called for proper verification of experience certificates submitted by candidates from private organisations.

It has expressed concern that experience claimed by external candidates should be thoroughly checked before they are considered for the posts.

Recruitment Rules Under Scanner

The representation also questions the manner in which the current recruitment rules were framed.

According to the association, the rules were prepared by former Chief Fire Officer Amit Dongre, and fire brigade officers and employees were allegedly not consulted before they were finalised.

The association has urged the Municipal Commissioner to review the rules, alleging that they were drafted by an officer brought in from outside without seeking the views of serving fire department personnel.

It has sought either cancellation of the existing rules or necessary amendments to address the concerns raised by departmental employees.

Firefighters Fear External Candidates Could Gain Advantage

Serving fire brigade personnel have expressed apprehension that the existing eligibility conditions could favour external candidates and leave experienced departmental employees at a disadvantage.

Through its representation, the AMC Employees’ Association has sought relaxation in eligibility and experience criteria for departmental staff, exemption from physical tests for eligible serving personnel, and correction of the alleged disparity in the Deputy Chief Fire Officer criteria.

The matter now rests with the Municipal Commissioner, who has been asked to examine the recruitment rules and the association's demands.