Fire extinguisher made mandatory for vehicles

At least one portable fire extinguisher must be carried on every minibus, bus, coach or any other vehicle

LAHORE: National Highways and Motorway Police Central Zone have launched a drive to make fire extinguishers and first aid boxes available in public service vehicles (PSV) for the safety of passengers and road users.

DIG Central Zone Mirza Faran Baig said this while reviewing the on-going campaign about the presence of fire extinguishers and first aid box in PSVs. DIG Baig said all light or heavy vehicles must have a valid fire extinguisher in them at all times to avoid any untoward situation. At least one portable fire extinguisher must be carried on every minibus, bus or coach. This requirement is irrespective of seating capacity or vehicle size.



The extinguisher must be maintained in efficient working order and be readily available for use at all times, he added.

He said fire extinguisher must be correctly located, unobstructed and visible, and that tamper indicators are neither missing nor broken. The prime objective of road safety drive was to ensure timely and prompt response by drivers in case a vehicle catches fire after a road accident before the arrival of emergency services.

The DIG said well-trained and special briefing officers had been deputed on all toll plazas of N-5 Central Zone to brief and train drivers regarding proper use of fire extinguishers and first aid box to avoid casualties.



He said Mobile Education Units (MEUs) of N-5 Central Zone would also visit the PSV terminals to directly interact with drivers in an effort to educate them regarding the importance of practicing road safety.

“Keeping in view the importance of fire extinguishers and first aid boxes in case of emergency along with all first aid related items, briefings would be imparted to the owners and drivers of PSVs to make available such safety instruments with their vehicles,” he said.

He added the prime objective of this road safety drive was to ensure timely and prompt response by the drivers in case of fire and accident/incident before the arrival of emergency services.

The DIG said the drive would also inculcate the sense/feeling of safety amongst the passengers and road users while travelling on national highways.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8^th, 2017.