The DFS currently has a strength of around 2,500 and urgently requires more than 12,000 additional personnel for its existing network of fire stations and specialised units, the document notes.
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The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) plans to add eight new fire stations every year, carry out large-scale recruitment, and deploy drones and artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen the Capital’s firefighting infrastructure as part of its 25-year road map, Chief Fire Officer Abhilash K. Malik said.The DFS submitted the policy document to the Delhi government last month, and it is currently under consideration, officials said.Addressing the manpower shortage is a key focus of the blueprint. The DFS currently has a strength of around 2,500 and urgently requires more than 12,000 additional personnel for its existing network of fire stations and specialised units, the document notes.“In the long term, the department plans to build an operational workforce of around 48,000 personnel working in eight-hour shifts, with each fire station eventually staffed by about 131 personnel,” the document states.Plugging the gaps“The plan seeks to address gaps in the city’s emergency response system as Delhi continues to witness rapid urbanisation, population growth, high-rise construction and expanding industrial activity,” said Mr. Malik.As part of the immediate expansion, eight new fire stations are expected to become operational over the next six months at Rohini Sector 41, Geeta Colony, Anand Parbat, Yamuna Vihar, Dwarka Sectors 3 and 20, the Integrated Freight Complex in Narela, and Budhanpur Majra. The DFS ultimately intends to operate 120 fire stations across the city.At present, the DFS operates 71 fire stations, including four daytime stations, as well as three disaster management centres. The road map also proposes restructuring the department from three operational zones to five, supported by 13 divisions and 39 subdivisions, to improve coordination and response.“The blueprint includes the redevelopment of the DFS headquarters and the construction of a dedicated training centre at Budhanpur Majra. We intend to have two command centres at the headquarters — the main control centre and a plug-and-play centre in the basement. Additional command centres will be set up in each of the five zones,” said the officer. Published - July 03, 2026 12:53 am IST
