LAHORE: Punjab Emergency Service Director General Dr Arshad Zia on Thursday carried out a monthly performance review of emergency operations in Punjab to ensure uniform standard of the service and emergency services delivery. The data showed that 57,190 victims of different emergencies were rescued by the PES in 61,064 rescue operations in August all over the province. The emergency calls to which Rescue 1122 responded to included 18,650 road accidents, 28,902 medical emergencies, 711 fire incidents, 2,005 crimes, 106 drowning incidents, 71 building collapses, nine explosions and 6,736 other operations. However, out of total 711 fire incidents, 221 took place in Lahore, 68 in Faisalabad, 65 in Rawalpindi, 46 in Multan, 25 in Sialkot and 17 in Sargodha. Similarly, out of total 18,650 traffic accidents, 3,729 were reported in Lahore, 1,918 in Faisalabad, 997 in Gujranwala, and 1,090 in Multan and 743 in Rawalpindi. Dr Arshad Zia said that there was a dire need for an effective enforcement and implementation of fire safety codes given in building-bye-laws, adding that main steps including external steel staircases, fire doors, pressurized external hydrants system, evacuation plan and emergency lighting system, installation of fire extinguishers, clear access and removal of obstructions from rooftops can ensure life safety in high rise buildings. He said that fire safety ensures life safety; therefore, the people should step forward and ensure active participation in fire prevention. The DG also directed the District Emergency Officers (DEOs) to enhance activities pertaining to creating awareness among community members regarding emergencies. He said that Rescue 1122 has adopted community centred approach for disaster management through community involvement in hazards identification, vulnerability and capacity assessment and risk reduction measures with community collaboration.