Author name: Itus-Admin

ITUS is set to embark on a major three-year capacity-building initiative with the Mumbai Fire Brigade, supported through its specialised training wing, the Indian Rescue Academy (IRA). Together, ITUS and IRA will deliver a comprehensive suite of advanced training programmes aimed at elevating the brigade’s operational readiness across multiple technical rescue domains. The engagement includes the Integrated Technical Rescue Course, Equipment Maintenance & Readiness Modules, and Advanced Technical Rope Rescue Courses, all designed to strengthen Mumbai’s frontline emergency response capabilities. The Integrated Technical Rescue Course, developed and delivered by experienced instructors from the Indian Rescue Academy, provides firefighters with a multi-disciplinary foundation spanning urban search and rescue, confined space emergencies, water-based rescue scenarios, and complex extrications. The curriculum places strong emphasis on safe, coordinated, and efficient operations—ensuring responders are capable of navigating diverse rescue challenges in Mumbai’s evolving urban environment. In parallel, ITUS and IRA will conduct structured training on equipment maintenance, inspection, fault identification, and lifecycle care. This ensures that the Mumbai Fire Brigade’s rescue equipment, PPE, and critical life-safety systems remain in optimal condition year-round. By institutionalising preventive maintenance practices, the programme aims to significantly reduce equipment downtime and enhance reliability during active incidents. A key component of the three-year plan is the Advanced Technical Rope Rescue Course, delivered by IRA’s rope rescue specialists. With Mumbai’s extensive network of high-rise buildings, industrial installations, and complex urban infrastructure, advanced rope rescue capability has become essential for modern fire service operations. The training will cover high-angle rigging, mechanical advantage systems, vertical evacuations, stretcher handling, edge transitions, and team-based rescue methodologies aligned with global standards. This long-term engagement underscores ITUS’s commitment—through its Indian Rescue Academy—to building sustainable, high-quality rescue capacity within India’s major municipal fire services. Beyond skill development, the programme will also focus on creating internal instructors within the Mumbai Fire Brigade, ensuring continuity, standardisation, and self-sufficiency in training for years to come. Over the next three years, ITUS and IRA aim to support the brigade in achieving enhanced operational efficiency, modernised rescue preparedness, and a higher level of resilience to complex emergencies across the city.

ITUS has strengthened its presence in the Middle East with a significant follow-on order for three additional Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) for the Kuwait Fire Force (KFF). The contract has been secured through ITUS’s trusted channel partner, Kuwait Development & Trading Co (Sultan Al Salem & Sons), marking another milestone in the company’s growing relationship with Kuwait’s emergency response agencies. This new order comes even as the earlier contract—comprising two amphibious rescue boats and three RHIBs awarded in early 2025—remains under active production at ITUS facilities, with delivery scheduled as per Kuwait Fire Force’s phased induction plan. Kuwait continues to expand and modernise its coastal and offshore emergency response capabilities, and the Fire Force has prioritised the strengthening of its marine rescue and patrol fleet. The decision to place an additional order even before the first batch is delivered reflects Kuwait’s confidence in ITUS’s engineering standards, build quality, and production capability. Once deployed, the expanded RHIB fleet will significantly enhance KFF’s capacities in rapid-response operations, marine firefighting support, harbour and offshore patrols, and emergency evacuation scenarios. The collaboration between ITUS and Kuwait Development & Trading Co (Sultan Al Salem & Sons) has been central to navigating Kuwait’s procurement processes, ensuring seamless technical coordination and contract execution. The initial batch of vessels currently under construction has undergone detailed technical evaluations and design finalisations in close coordination with Kuwait Fire Force, and this follow-on order underscores the trust placed in ITUS’s marine systems and project management. The newly contracted RHIBs are engineered for demanding maritime missions, offering high-speed propulsion, excellent handling in rough waters, extended patrol endurance, and rescue-optimised layouts. Equipped with advanced navigation, communication, and safety systems, these boats are designed to meet the rigorous operational needs of Kuwait’s coastal emergency environment. With this additional order, ITUS further consolidates its position as a trusted provider of advanced marine rescue platforms across the Gulf region. The company remains committed to delivering high-quality vessels, operator training, and lifecycle technical support. Both the initial batch of vessels and the newly ordered RHIBs are planned for delivery under the Kuwait Fire Force’s 2026–2027 capability expansion schedule, reinforcing the nation’s long-term commitment to strengthening maritime safety and emergency preparedness.

When heavy monsoon rains struck Solapur in September 2025, flooding swept through villages and low-lying areas, displacing thousands and endangering lives. The state machinery swung into action — the NDRF deployed multiple teams, and local administrations mobilized rescue and relief efforts.  Amid this crisis, the Aapda Mitras trained by the Indian Rescue Academy (IRA) emerged as vital front-line support. Under the district’s incident command protocols, they seamlessly integrated with disaster response operations to provide swift, localized relief. Maharashtra SDMA’s records show that Aapda Mitra and Aapda Sakhi volunteers were actively engaged in rescue and relocation efforts, particularly in flood-prone hamlets.  Roles & Impact Illustrating the Scale The Solapur floods clearly demonstrated that trained local volunteers amplify state rescue capacity. The IRA’s investment in building a grassroots force through Aapda Mitra training paid dividends: volunteers who knew their areas, could act rapidly, and bridge the response gap until state resources arrived.

In response to the urgent flood situation in Fazilka, Taran Tarn and Ferozpur district, ITUS has mobilized critical rescue equipment to strengthen local response capacity. A total of 10 HDPE rescue boats and 10 Yamaha outboard motors have been dispatched to the district administration to support flood relief and rescue operations. Swift Action for Ground Needs Tarn Taran, one of the most affected districts, required durable, reliable, and easy-to-operate boats for rapid evacuation and supply transport. HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) boats were selected due to their unsinkable design, high buoyancy, and resistance to punctures and corrosion, making them ideal for challenging floodwaters. Yamaha Outboard Motors for Power and Reliability To complement the boats, 10 high-performance Yamaha outboard motors were provided. Known for their ruggedness, fuel efficiency, and ease of maintenance, these engines ensure that rescue teams can navigate swiftly even in difficult currents, reducing response time and expanding operational reach. Building Capacity for Local Responders By equipping local authorities and response teams with modern rescue assets, ITUS aims to empower ground-level operations. These boats and motors will enable safe evacuation of stranded civilians, transport of essential relief material, and movement of rescue personnel to hard-to-reach areas. ITUS’s Commitment to Disaster Response This deployment reflects ITUS’s larger mission to support state administrations and disaster response forces across India with world-class equipment, training, and technology. With every intervention, ITUS continues to stand by its ethos of Service, Safety, and Nation-Readiness.