Daily Times

LAHORE: At least 7,000 emergency officials would remain on duty during Ashura while the leaves of rescuers have also been restricted across the province, said Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) Director General Brig (r) Dr Arshad Zia during a meeting held to review preparedness, along with submission of emergency plans, for Muharram on Tuesday.

The Rescue 1122 DG has directed all the district emergency officers (DEOs) to ensure preparedness for Muharram in accordance with directions issued by the Home Department. He also directed them to ensure implementation of Code
Red on 9th and 10th of Muharram.

Punjab Human Resources Deputy Director Dr Foaad Shahzad Mirza, Planning and Development Deputy Director Faheem Qureshi, Finance Deputy Director Naeem Mukhtar, Operations Deputy Director Ayaz Aslam, Lahore District Emergency Officer Dr Ahmed Raza and all other provincial monitoring cell (PMC) officers attended the meeting.

The PMC briefed the director general that at least 7,000 emergency staff would remain on duty during Ashura, adding that districts have prepared emergency contingency plans in close coordination with other district administrations, while imamia scouts have been trained and close liaison has also been developed with focal persons of the Shia sect. The PMC stated that disaster response force along with logistic assistance would remain on standby position to provide backup support to any district in case of an untoward incident.

Dr Arshad Zia said during any mass gathering, most of the injuries or deaths take place due to stampede as a result of panic, therefore, each district emergency officer should review emergency plan of any mass public gathering to ensure timely and safe evacuation and proper management of emergencies. He also directed them to review the site plan with special reference to available exits for any emergency, depending on the expected participation/turnout and to also check out adequacy of exits for emergency evacuation and verification that appropriate exits were available.

According to the Lahore Emergency Plan, 31 emergency ambulances, 15 fire vehicles, five rescue vehicles, water rescue teams and rescuers on different 50 mobile posts have been deployed to provide emergency cover to all mourning processions. Moreover, additional rescue teams would remain on standby position and could be called if needed in case of any untoward incident.

According to the plan, all mobile posts and ambulances with medical kits would be moving along with the processions to provide mourners with immediate medical treatment. Emergency officers, including trained doctors, would supervise the arrangements on both sensitive days.