Gearing Up for the Fight
Headquartered in Kolhapur, Firefly Fire Pumps is India’s largest manufacturer, supplier, and exporter of vehicle-mounted firefighting pumps. With a legacy spanning over 60 years, the company has been at the forefront of designing and manufacturing life-saving fire pumps that meet stringent international quality standards. Established in 1963, Firefly has perfected the craft of engineering firefighting solutions that are not only reliable but also globally competitive. It’s no surprise, then, that the company enjoys a strong presence not just across India, but in over 60 countries worldwide—earning the trust of a diverse and loyal customer base. Industrial Safety Review caught up with Rohit Mali, Director of Firefly Fire Pumps, to delve into the company’s spirit of innovation and unwavering commitment to delivering agile, world-class products and its vision to building a fire-safe future for generations to come. Excerpts:
Rohit Mali
Director – Firefly Fire Pumps
Q. Could you please brief us on Firefly’s evolution over 60 Years?
Firefly Fire Pumps Pvt. Ltd. began in 1958 as Mahadeo Iron Works, a mechanical workshop in Kolhapur, focusing on agricultural equipment repairs. Over the years, the company transitioned into fire vehicle fabrication and eventually specialized in manufacturing fire pumps under the Firefly brand in 2004. Today, it is Asia’s largest manufacturer, distributor and exporter of fire-fighting pumps, catering to over 60% of the domestic market and aiming for 80% by 2025.
Q. What are the technological advancements in firefighting pumps you have spearheaded recently?
Firefly has introduced cutting-edge technologies such as India’s first indigenous Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS). This system enhances firefighting efficiency by producing lightweight foam that adheres to surfaces, reduces water usage, and creates a thermal barrier to isolate flames from oxygen. It is particularly effective for high-rise buildings and industrial fires such as oil, gas, and chemicals, addressing complex scenarios with reduced water damage.
The Fire Warrior represents a significant advancement in firefighting technology. It empowers industries and organizations to handle emergencies effectively, setting new standards for performance, reliability, and adaptability. With its cutting-edge technology and robust design, the Fire Warrior is poised to become a game-changer in fire safety across India. It ensures enhanced preparedness and response capabilities for sectors with limited access to professional firefighting resources.
Q. You seem to be catering to diverse industry needs. Please comment.
Firefly offers a wide range of fire-fighting pumps, including portable, truck-mounted, skid-mounted, and trailer-mounted models. Each equipment is tailored to specific industry requirements, such as high-pressure washing for automotive industries or de-watering for chemical plants. Products like the Fire Warrior emergency responder unit are designed for remote locations and industries with limited firefighting resources.
Q. Tell us something about your global outreach and expansion strategies.
Firefly exports its products to over 70 countries worldwide. Its global strategy focuses on delivering high-quality firefighting solutions that meet international standards while addressing unique regional challenges. The company’s first foreign order in 2006 marked a turning point, showcasing its ability to compete with established brands globally.
Q. Your Forest Fire Extinguisher is an exciting development – Right?
Yes it is. Firefly has partnered with Vallfirest – Spain, to introduce advanced forest firefighting products, including portable pumps, emergency robots (Dronster), and high-capacity aerial fire fighting (Heliskid) unit, along with tools and safety to frontline forest fire fighters. These innovations are designed to combat large-scale wildfires effectively by delivering powerful water output and enhancing firefighter safety.
Q. How do you instil Quality and Reliability in your products?
With over 16,500 fire pumps installed globally, Firefly maintains stringent quality control measures throughout its manufacturing processes. The company prioritizes durability and reliability to ensure its products perform under extreme conditions.
Firefly ensures the quality and durability of its fire pumps through a combination of rigorous testing, premium materials, and adherence to international standards:
Rigorous Testing: Every Firefly pump undergoes comprehensive testing twice—once during assembly and again during final inspection using a SCADA test setup. This ensures optimal performance under critical conditions. Additional tests, such as hydrostatic and engine load tests, are conducted at its state-of-the-art facility in Kolhapur.
Premium Materials: Firefly uses high-quality materials like stainless steel, aluminum, bronze, and corrosion-resistant alloys. These materials enhance durability and resistance to wear and corrosion, ensuring long-term reliability even in demanding environments.
International Standards Compliance: Firefly adheres to major international firefighting standards such as EN 1028, NFPA 1901, and Indian Standard IS 950. Compliance with these standards guarantees the reliability and safety of its products in firefighting applications.
Advanced Manufacturing Processes: Using cutting-edge software like SolidWorks for design and precision machining techniques, Firefly ensures every component is meticulously crafted. Assembly is performed on dedicated lines for vehicle-mounted, portable, and trailer pumps.
Continuous Innovation: Firefly incorporates customer feedback to refine its products continuously. Features like thermal relief valves and automatic priming systems enhance operational efficiency and safety while maintaining environmental integrity.
These measures collectively ensure that Firefly’s fire pumps are robust, reliable, and capable of performing in critical firefighting scenarios globally.
Q. What are the challenges you face and how do you address them?
The fire safety industry faces challenges such as urbanization-driven fire risks and resource constraints in remote areas. Firefly addresses these by developing versatile products like the FIRE WARRIOR pump and CAFS technology, which optimize firefighting efficiency while minimizing water usage.
Q. What are the measures you take to ensure environmental protection and sustainability in manufacturing?
Firefly incorporates sustainability into its processes by designing products that reduce water consumption and environmental impact during firefighting operations. Future trends include leveraging AI-driven systems for improved fire detection and response capabilities.
Q. What’s your vision for the next decade?
Firefly’s 2030 Vision is Powering the Future of Firefighting.
As we look ahead to the next decade, Firefly envisions becoming the most dependable manufacturer of comprehensive firefighting solutions by 2030, while accelerating our footprint across global markets. Our mission is rooted in innovation, self-reliance, and sustainability, driven by a firm belief in “Bharat Nirbhar Vishwa” (India Empowered, World Enabled).
With the global rise in high-rise infrastructures and industrial hazards, Firefly has pioneered indigenous Compressed Air Foam Systems (CAFS)—robust solutions purpose-built to tackle complex fires in the oil & gas, petrochemical, construction, and mining sectors.
In response to the alarming increase in forest fires, particularly in India, Firefly has introduced a comprehensive 360-degree forest fire management program, featuring a specialized portfolio of over 25 products, backed by hands-on training provided to forest officials and first responders in India. These solutions are not only technologically advanced but also designed for rugged terrains and remote deployments.
By 2030, we aim to set new global safety benchmarks, lead innovation in fire suppression technologies, and become the most trusted brand in fire safety worldwide. Firefly is more than a manufacturer—we are partners in protection, driven by purpose, and committed to building a fire-safe future for generations to come.