Short of men and stations, Ahmedabad’s fire dept attended to over 2,000 calls in 2024

The Ahmedabad Fire Department on Monday paid tribute to its heroes – known and unknown – who lost their lives in line of duty on the occasion of National Fire Service Day, celebrated in memory of the 1944 Victoria Dockyard incident in Mumbai that reportedly killed 1,300 people.

In Ahmedabad, the department – praised for its timely response and rescue efforts – faces a dire shortage of bases despite increasing calls for help.

The department covers an area of more than 500 sq km in Ahmedabad, with only 19 fire stations – 31 short of the recommended number. Two more fire stations in Gota and Thaltej are currently under construction.

According to official sources, a total of 558 staff members are attending fire, rescue, and even bird rescue calls against the scheduled strength of 750. The department is receiving an average of 25 fire calls daily from within and beyond municipal limits.

In 2023–24, the department responded to 2,483 fire calls. In 2024–25, that number increased to 2,835.

During the 2001 earthquake in Gujarat, the Ahmedabad Fire Department’s work was praised nationally and internationally. Following the disaster, they received advanced fire and rescue vehicles from India and abroad.

But even after 25 years, the city’s fire department hasn’t expanded accordingly. As per the Standing Fire Advisory Council guidelines, one fire station should serve every 10 sq km — yet only 19 are operational today. The construction of stations in Gota and Thaltej is only 30–40% complete.

352 fire calls in one month

The department attended a total of 5,318 fire calls in 2023–24 and 2024–25 combined. Between March 1 to March 31, 2025, a total of 352 fire calls were attended. Between April 1 to 12, 2025, 176 fire calls were handled.

Although vacancies in the fire department have remained unfilled for years, the city has announced five new fire stations in Ranip, Lambha, Sabarmati Riverfront, Ramol-Hathijan, and Shahibaug.

With current staff shortages, officials are questioning how they’ll man the new stations.

Summary of fire and rescue calls

35 saved, 166 dead in Sabarmati River rescue ops

To prevent suicides and rescue people from the Sabarmati River, a riverboat rescue service was stationed at Vallabh Sadan. During the year, they attended 200 rescue calls, saving 35 people, while 166 were reported dead.

The Ahmedabad Fire Department has 20 ambulances and 16 mortuary vans. The process to procure new mortuary vans is underway.

In 2024–25, the department attended:

17,282 ambulance calls

28,294 mortuary van calls

Total: 45,576 calls

Major fire incidents in the past month:

• Fire on the 5th floor of Parishkar Building in Khokhra – 18 people rescued
• Fire at snack-packaging godown in Prem Darwaja area
• Intense fire in five shops at a toy market in Pankornaka
• Fire in labour colony of bullet train project in New Ranip – six rooms gutted
• Fire at jewellery shop on CG Road – 10 kg of gold saved by fire team