MOCK DRILL TURNS TO BE A MOCKERY.

Fire safety is given paramount importance in the Indian Air force.

Putting out even spot fire to crash fire and conflagration is given equal importance. That way, all of us are trained to firefighters. In earlier days our people were employed in fire and safety in civil after retirement. But there were no formal fire and safety courses in civil on those days. Some trades are given expert training in fire fighting in the Air force and they are our instructors as you know for periodical mock drills in fire fighting.

Once there was a fire fighting class in one of my units. The instructor was a well-known SNCO, proven for his expertise in many fire accidents. He had extraordinary practical skills and knowledge. But what he miserably lacked was English speaking. There was no problem he could teach in Hindi, our official language. But what he thought was, being an Air force man, that too an instructor, speaking in Hindi alone is below standard. But his English made a problem for listeners and he was short-tempered if you ask doubts.

As you know, these experienced guys will have so many real and fake experience stories. You have no other choice other than to be victims of these murders. But some are funny by their clownish action and colloquial dialogue.

For motivating us, the instructor started with a fire accident. "When I was in Tambaram, a building started " firing'. When the fire gady reached the spot, thurath, I took two long bamboos, in between then, bamboo, bamboo, bamboo(forgot the word" ladder') and climbed on the building. Then the lecture went on and I don't want to elaborate. And at last, he concluded. " Where ever you see boxes painted in red, take it for granted it is Fire Box".Then one mischievous airman asked," What about the Post office box, sir".The instructor got angry and shouted, " Shut up". and said, " You don't become over smart, listen-only what I say, don't ask stupid questions."

The lecture was completed in his style. We were very careful not to have the urge of asking any more questions.

But I tell you he was such a master in his job that any big fire will surrender in front of him.

Thank you for tolerating me.