On May 4th the world marks Firefighters Day, a day we commemorate all the unsung heroes
LAHORE: On May 4th the world marks Firefighters Day, a day we commemorate all the unsung heroes of the nation, who provide sense of safety to the community by providing timely and professional emergency response in case of fire emergencies and disaster.
In Pakistan, frequent outbreaks of fire have kept firefighters on their toes, whether in the home, factory or office building. The work of a firefighter is highly challenging. They rescue people and save lives. They risk their own lives to save others. Spare a thought to these intrepid emergency response professionals.
Let us recall also the Ghakkar Plaza fire, a tragic disaster in which 13 firefighters from Pakistan Ordinance Factory Wah, Rescue 1122, City Fire Brigade and Civil Aviation Authority lost their lives. Civilised nations learn from such emergencies and take maximum preventive measures to prevent loss of life and limit damage to properties. And Punjab has just done that. The Director General of Emergency Services, Dr Rizwan Naseer, along with his dedicated headquarters and district commanders’ operational team, left no stone unturned in improving, strengthening and promoting fire safety since the tragic incident took place.
The Punjab government has also taken practical steps to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the Fire Safety Commission, which include visiting all high-rise buildings and ensuring installation of external staircases. These are bare minimum standards to ensure fire safety in high risk buildings. The building owners must follow fire safety standards as per building bylaws and building authorities concerned need to ensure implementation of building bylaws to promote safety culture.
Recently, the government successfully completed the development of Building Codes of Pakistan. These codes provide rules for fire prevention, life safety in relation to fire and fire protection of building and structures. However, ensuring safety is our collective responsibility. We should pay a rich tribute to firefighters everywhere whose countless services save numerous lives.
Deeba Shahnaz Akhter
Published in The Express Tribune, May 9th, 2017.
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