Daily Times

Deputy Commissioner Zahid Hussain Memon directed all departments and organisations engaged in the fire fighting duties to update their systems and ensure that their system would response in the minimum time possible to tackle any disaster that takes place in the city.

During a meeting chaired by deputy commissioner, it was decided that an integrated firefighting strategy would be formulated in order to improve disaster management in the city. The meeting reviewed the resources and capabilities organizations have with regard to the fire fighting. It was decided in the meeting that there should be a system that can work as a single command and control authority for the quickest response to disasters.

The DC directed the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) to ensure that the building control rules relating to the safety in the buildings were being observed. Deputy commissioner Memon also directed the assistant commissioners to monitor that buildings had safety arrangements in place and observed safety rules.

It was then pointed out in the meeting that most of the buildings in the city did not have escape routes. It was decided that buildings would provide the maps of the escape route to occupants and share them with fire fighting departments including KMC Fire Brigade Department. It was also decided that Fire Audit Survey of multi-story buildings would be carried out.

The meeting was attended by Fire Officer of KMC, Assistant Commissioners, representatives from SITE, SBCA and other relevant officials.

Published in Daily Times, November 26^th 2018.