‘Rescue 1122 prepared to deal with rain emergencies’

535 traffic wardens to perform duties in the City during Eid break

LAHORE: Rescue 1122 is fully prepared to combat flood or any other emergency situation on the occasion of Eid.

This was stated by Rescue 1122 Director General Brig (r) Dr Arshad Zia at a media briefing on Monday.

He said teams had been alerted and officers in the field and at the headquarters asked to remain available at all times to respond to any untoward incident. He said special arrangements had been made to deal with heavy rains and possible floods during Eid holidays.

He said 7,480 rescuers would remain available for emergency response at all times during the break. He said 383 boats, 630 emergency vehicles, 5,196 life jackets, 29 scuba diving equipment and 632 torches had been arranged for them to ensure timely and effective emergency response. Rescuers had been directed to thoroughly check all floods fighting equipment.



Zia said mock exercises had been conducted by rescuers of the north region in Jhelum River a month ago. He said mock exercises had included evacuating a flood affected village, rescuing a group of people from drowning in river and saving their possessions. He said the event had also featured a competition between districts where winners were given prizes.

Zia said the Provincial Monitoring Cell (PMC) at the Rescue 1122 had been ordered to maintain regular contact with the Meteorological Department to ensure effective flood forecasting and appropriable level of preparedness.



About the pre-monsoon arrangements, the director general said officials had been asked to regularly monitor water rescue teams and ensure that they were equipped with fiber glass boats, Inflate-able rubber boats, dry suits, full body and seat rescue harness, life jackets, diving suits, floating lines and life buoys. He said emergency vehicles would be deployed at maximum possible Eid congregations, particularly in areas declared sensitive in terms of security. He said emergency officers including trained doctors would supervise arrangements during Eid holidays.  Meanwhile, City Traffic Police has also finalised a plan to maintain flow of traffic during Eid holidays. CTO Tayyab Hafeez Cheema said on Monday that 2,535 traffic wardens, 270 patrolling officers, 109 inspectors, 13 DSPs and three SPs would perform duties in two shifts. He said particular care would be taken to ensure traffic flow on roads where prominent worship and recreational places and markets were located.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5^th, 2016.