Mumbai: Balancing the responsibilities of a firefighter with family life is challenging. Leaving her 18-month-old son, who cries at her departure, is heart-wrenching for Mayuri Salvi, a firefighter with the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB). Yet her unwavering commitment to saving lives during disasters propels her to face these emotional challenges daily.
Salvi’s aspiration to serve in a uniformed capacity was influenced by her paternal aunt, a sub-inspector in Thane. Her dedication and the pride she took in her role left a lasting impression on Salvi. “That’s the time I realised that I wanted to wear a uniform and serve the nation.”
While Salvi initially considered joining the Mumbai Police, she learned about recruitment opportunities within the MFB. Seizing this chance, she participated in the recruitment process, which included a written examination, physical test and medical examination. Her dedication and determination led to her selection. She is one among the 331 female firefighters in MFB.
While Salvi could have pursued careers in fields like medicine or engineering, her desire to serve led her to the MFB, where she has become a part of a growing community of female firefighters. Salvi serves as a firefighter at the Fort Fire Station in South Mumbai, a position she has held for the past five years.
This station, located on Syed Abdullah Brelvi Marg, is one of Mumbai's busiest, responding to a wide range of emergencies in the heart of the city. Throughout her tenure, she has encountered numerous challenges inherent to firefighting operations.
Salvi recalls the recent fire at Memonwada as particularly harrowing. During the operation, several residents were trapped inside a building amid ongoing cylinder explosions, intensifying the urgency and complexity of the rescue efforts.
“The floors were covered with dense smoke, and I could hear cries for help,” she recounts. “I specifically remember a senior citizen who could not even walk, stuck on the 14th floor. We carried him down via the staircase.” Fortunately, there were no casualties, and after several hours, the fire was extinguished.
Leaving her toddler at home while responding to emergencies is an emotional challenge that Salvi faces daily. “He cries whenever I leave for duty; it breaks my heart,” she shares.
Salvi acknowledges the crucial role her family, especially her mother-in-law, plays in supporting her career. “Thanks to my family, especially my mother-in-law... they take care of my son and never let me worry about any issues at home,” she says.
“My family understands the unpredictable nature of my work and adjust accordingly.”
