Bandra Fire Station's Pallavi Patil Becomes Mumbai's First Active Woman Engine Driver

Pallavi Patil, a 29-year-old firefighter posted at the Bandra Fire Station, has scripted history as the Mumbai Fire Brigade's (MFB) first active woman fire engine driver. Having served as a frontline firefighter for eight years, Patil recently stepped into her historic role after completing specialized training and clearing the department's driving test.

Patil, who joined the force in 2017, is currently the brigade's only active female fire engine driver. While two women in the MFB have qualified for the position, the other driver is currently on maternity leave. Since taking on her new responsibilities, Patil has already responded to three emergency fire calls.

To qualify for the role, Patil underwent rigorous specialized training at the Dindoshi depot in Goregaon. Her duties extend beyond navigating the fire engine through Mumbai's congested roads and narrow lanes. Once she arrives at an emergency scene, she is responsible for operating the engine's pump and regulating the water pressure supplied to the firefighters battling the flames.

Patil's journey into the fire service began under the encouragement of her father, who prompted both her and her brother—a firefighter at the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC)—to join. As a young girl, she would accompany her brother on early morning training runs in their village. When the MFB opened recruitment for women, Patil moved to Mumbai, cleared the selection process, and underwent training.

Balancing her high-stakes job with family life presents daily challenges. Patil and her husband, Samdhan Patil, who is also an MFB fire engine driver, coordinate their work shifts to ensure one of them is always home with their six-year-old son, Yatharth.

The initiative to induct women into the MFB was first conceived following the 26/11 terror attacks. Today, the brigade has grown to include 116 women firefighters, with Patil leading the way on the roads.