Daily Times

LAHORE: The Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) commemorated the International Firefighters Day on Wednesday by arranging seminars, walks, awareness activities besides organising ceremonies in remembrance of martyred firefighters of Rescue 1122, who lost their lives while saving the lives of others in the provincial metropolis as well as across the province.

On the other hand, Emergency Services Academy Director General Brig (r) Amir Hamza also arranged specialised lectures for under training cadets in ESA. The experts in the field of firefighting delivered lectures about the importance of the day, modern trends in firefighting, role and responsibilities of firefighters in case of any untoward incident. The rescue cadets in the academy also organised mock exercises related to firefighting, rescuing victims from collapsed structure, rescuing victims from height in case of fire incident and safe practices for fire prevention.

DG Rescue 1122 Brig (r) Dr Arshad Zia and ESA DG Brig (r) Amir Hamza received flag march comprising of fire vehicles including aerial platforms, turn table ladders, fire investigation unit and others.

The flag march started from Central Station Muslim Town moving towards Liberty Round About, Jail Road, New Tollington Market and ended at the Rescue 1122 Headquarters at Ferozepur Road.

Punjab Rescue 1122 Director General Brig (r) Dr Arshad Zia, Planning and Development Deputy Director Faheem Ahmad Quershi, Human Resources Deputy Director Dr Shazad Mirza, Finance Deputy Director Naeem Mukhtar, Lahore District Emergency Officer Dr Ahmad Raza and all senior officers participated in the march, whereas fire rescuers, lead fire rescuers and other rescue officials clothed in fire suits raised slogans of fire safety.

While addressing the rescuers at headquarters, Amir Hamza said that Rescue 1122 has established modern fire service and disaster emergency response teams in Pakistan in limited resources on modern line and rescuers have been trained with latest equipment and vehicles in Emergency Services Academy to maintain international standard. “Trained rescuers of Rescue 1122 are trendsetters in the field of professional firefighting in Pakistan and I salute the selfless efforts of rescuers for providing sense of safety to the community,” he added.