Capital Emergency Service successfully demonstrated its emergency response capability during a late-night mock fire incident, with fire brigade and ambulance teams reaching the designated location within eight minutes of receiving the alert. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who monitored the exercise, praised the Capital Emergency Service for responding within the prescribed response time, describing the prompt arrival as an encouraging sign of the service’s operational readiness.
Following the exercise, the minister met with firefighters and emergency personnel, commended their professionalism, and discussed the challenges they face while performing their duties. He acknowledged the dedication of the staff despite limited resources and outdated equipment.
During his inspection, Naqvi took serious notice of the fact that the Capital Emergency Service’s vehicles and equipment have not been replaced since 2009.
While appreciating that the existing fleet has been maintained in good working condition, he observed that some fire engines currently in service date back to the 1993 model year. The minister was also informed that emergency personnel have not received any formal training or refresher courses for several years, highlighting the need for capacity building alongside equipment modernization.
Taking immediate action, Naqvi directed Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) Sohail Ashraf to submit, within seven days, a comprehensive plan for upgrading the Capital Emergency Service. He emphasized that the modernization plan should include the procurement of new fire engines, ambulances, and other essential rescue equipment to strengthen the capital’s emergency response capabilities. The mock emergency exercise was initiated after Acting Deputy Commissioner Sahibzada Yousaf placed a simulated fire emergency call to Rescue 1122 to assess the service’s response under realistic conditions.
Expressing satisfaction over the outcome, Naqvi said he was pleased to witness the swift response of the Capital Emergency Service during the late-night exercise. He stressed that, in the event of any real emergency, response time is the single most critical factor in saving lives and minimizing damage.