Daily Times

LAHORE: Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) Director General Brig (r) Dr Arshad Zia has directed the district emergency officers (DEOs) to complete its preparation for monsoon and remain alert to ensure perfect working of all flood rescue equipment.

He assigned special duties to all rescuers and deputed community emergency response teams (CERTs) in their areas for an effective and coordinated emergency response in case of any emergency due to heavy showers in the season.

According to the Rescue 1122 spokesperson on Wednesday, the head of Rescue 1122 Provincial Monitoring Cell (PMC) briefed the DG about major emergencies. The DG was informed that drowning emergencies were increasing day-by-day while risk of building collapse incidents has also increased due to heavy rains.

The Rescue 1122 DG directed all DEOs to have close coordination with the Pakistan Metrological Department district administration, CERTs and all concerned stakeholders so that flood disaster management plan could be exercised in true letter and spirit for timely and professional emergency response, quality emergency services and minimising the loss of precious human lives and property in case of flood emergencies.

He held interactive meetings with Rescue 1122 district heads and inspected available resources, including emergency ambulances, human resource, emergency vehicles, fire tenders, rescue vehicles, water bowsers, rescue boats etc. He also witnessed condition of water rescue equipment as well as mock exercises of rescuers to analyse flood management capacity of the emergency service.

The DG said that he would personally monitor the overall management operation in flood prone districts, adding that the concerned DEOs would be responsible for any managerial lapse in their respective districts. He added that Pakistan Mineral Company (PMC) would be monitoring all districts round the clock in close coordination with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and MET Department during the monsoon and flood season.

He requested the citizens to remove debris and extra weight from the rooftops of the houses to avoid any untoward incident during monsoon, adding that citizens should remove electrical wires or cover them properly as touching them could cause instant death. He also emphasised to abstain from overspeeding specially in raining season to avoid fatal injuries leading to death.