India, May 16 -- The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) has asked the Delhi government to increase on priority the number of staff, citing a severe shortage, of over 6,600 personnel-a shortage of over 72.5% against a requirement of 9,123 personnel-according to documents accessed by HT.

To be sure, the proposal sent to the state home department quoted numbers on the basis of 24-hour shifts currently being undertaken by firefighters, against 8-hour shifts recommended by the Fire Safety Council "to reduce fatigue and improve operational efficiency".

Chief fire officer AK Malik confirmed that a proposal, a copy of which was accessed by HT, was sent in this regard.

A senior fire department official, who did not wish to be named, said, "A proper eigh...