To the best of our knowledge, there is no centralized data available to know the exact number of fire fighters and fire safety professionals. However, as per National Disaster Management Guidelines - Scaling, Type of Equipment and Training of Fire Services (a publication of the National Disaster Management Authority, Government of India), the deficiencies with respect to fire stations, fire fighting vehicles and personnel are listed below:

• Fire stations - 97.54% deficient;
• Firefighting and rescue vehicles - 80.04% deficient;
• Fire personnel - 96.28% deficient;

Above deficiency is based on the norms laid down by SFAC (Standing Fire Advisory Council).

Source: National Disaster Management Guidelines - Scaling, Type of Equipment and Training of Fire Services (point 2.6 at page 14)

Further, the Directorate General NDRF & CD (Fire), Ministry of Home Affairs coordinated a study "Fire Hazard and Risk Analysis in the Country for Revamping the Fire Services in the Country", to identify existing gaps in terms of availability and requirement of fire stations, trained manpower and fire-fighting, rescue, and other specialized equipment by engaging the RMSI team. The team, along with inputs from subject matter experts, modified SFAC norms for the study and came up with the following gap report in November 2012;

• Fire stations - 65%
• Firefighting and rescue vehicles - 83%
• Specialized equipment - 94%
• Fire personnel - 92%

Source: Fire Hazard and Risk Analysis in the Country for Revamping the Fire Services in the Country (page 19)

To fulfill the gap many state fire services have taken actions such as recruitment of manpower, purchase of fire tenders / specialized equipment and opening of new fire stations.