‘Professional fire fighting has saved Rs240bn’

Fire rescuers must remain physically fit and equipped with modern fire fighting techniques, says Director Rescue 1122

LAHORE: The fire service has saved losses worth Rs240 billion while responding to 97,874 fire emergencies in the province through professional fire fighting since 2007, said Rescue 1122 Director General Dr Rizwan Naseer.



He was speaking on the last day of a three-day Fire Investigation Course organised at the Managers Training Centre at Punjab Emergency Services Academy Thokar Niaz Beg on Friday. The course was organised by the Fire and Safety Wing of Rescue 1122 in order to strengthen and asses the capacity of Lead Fire Rescuers (LFRs) in different districts of the province to further enhance their fire emergency management skills.

Dr Rizwan said the role of a fire rescuer was imperative before, during and after a fire emergency. “Fire rescuers should remain physically fit, equipped with modern fire fighting techniques and polish their management skills,” he said. He added that the service has started awarding the rescuers with cash prizes for their good performance.



Rizwan Naseer further said the basic purpose of organising such courses is to enhance capacity of the managers to maintain service standards in all districts of the Punjab. He asked the district emergency officers to ensure their physical fitness become role model for their staff. The DG said capacity building and evaluation of fire emergency management skills of fire rescuers was the need of the hour especially keeping in view the major fire incidents in Punjab.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2017.