Islamabad mayor wants awareness campaign about fire safety

Performance of emergency and disaster management directorate reviewed

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Mayor and Capital Development Authority Chairman Sheikh Anser Aziz wants an awareness campaign in the capital under which people are informed about the precautions they can take and safety measures which can be adopted to reduce losses because of fires.

He said this while chairing a meeting to review the performance Emergency and Disaster Management Directorate (E&DM) of the Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) at the CDA Headquarters on Tuesday.

Aziz said that the implementation of the Islamabad Fire Prevention and Life Safety Regulation 2010 must be ensured.

He added that consolidated steps were being taken to upgrade and strengthen E&DM.

During the meeting, Aziz was told that during March, the department had inspected 47 buildings to check whether they were complying with the prescribed safety measures and regulations.

In this regard, the department issued 19 notices and 19 show cause, final warning notices. At least four advisory reports, three checklists were also issued.

Additionally, two no-objection certificates, plan approvals were accorded.

The meeting was further told that of the 47 buildings which officials inspected, of these 19 were business offices, seven were residential buildings, six were Industries, six were mercantile centres, three were storage facilities, two assembly halls and an educational institute and some other buildings.

Of the buildings visited, 16 were high rises, (higher than 15 metres), while 31 were below 15 metres in height. Among these eight were government operated buildings while 39 were privately occupied buildings which were inspected during March.

Aziz directed the concerned officers to ensure the latest training of their officers and technical staff of E&DM at the local and international levels. He further directed that the officials take necessary steps to create awareness amongst the general public about the precautionary and safety measures against fire incidents to minimise losses.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2017.