KARACHI: City Mayor Wasim Akhtar on Friday demanded of the federal and provincial governments to provide funds for fire brigade so that the department could be made more effective.

Expressing his views on the World Firefighters` Day, he said the firefighters were heroes, adding that `the day reminds us [of] their sacriñces and great work` He said the fire brigade would be equipped with modern facilities and all necessary equipment and apparatus required to fight fires in the metropolis.

`The Sindh and federal government [have] been requested to provide funds for Kre brigade so that this department could be made effective and better,` the mayor said.

He said Karachi was a big city where many industrial zones aswell as commercial centres with high-rise buildings existed along with densely populated areas. In case of fire, the fire brigade had to take instant action, reach the site of incident and start nrenghting operation, he added.

Mr Akhtar said that in order to help firefighters do their important job effectively and safely, `we need to fulfil their requirements and provide them with maximum machinery, vehicles and equipment so that they could perform in any situation` He said upgrading the fire brigade in the city was included in the annual development plan and they had been provided with better facilities.

Mayor Akhtar said Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC`s) firefighters had performed excellently in the past despite having no modern equipment and machinery to put out fires in the city, therefore they deserved appreciation.