Rescue 1122 to remain active during Eid

Special mobile rescue posts will provide emergency cover at major venues

LAHORE: The Punjab Emergency Service ambulance, rescue and fire services will remain on high alert during Eidul Fitr holidays across Punjab in case of emergency situations. Punjab Director General (DG) Rescue Dr Rizwan Naseer reviewed emergency arrangements on Wednesday in a meeting held at Rescue 1122 headquarters.

The head of the provincial monitoring cell told the DG that emergency plans for the Eid holidays have been finalised in all districts of Punjab after consultation with the respective deputy commissioners (DCs). DG Rescue was also briefed on the deployment of around 11,130 rescuers at strategic sites to ensure a prompt response to emergencies, disasters, or any other untoward incident.

It was further stated that 11,130 rescuers will perform duties during Eid in three shifts at 650 key points established across Punjab. These key points include 250 for emergency vehicles and 400 for motorbike ambulances.

Emergency response and management plans have been chalked out by all district emergency officers in consultation with all stakeholders in district emergency board meetings.

The plans will ensure effective and efficient management of any untoward incident during the Eid holidays. Special mobile rescue posts will provide optimum emergency cover at major Eid prayer venues.

The provincial monitoring cell and patient transfer services cell at Rescue 1122 Headquarters will remain operational round-the-clock to ensure effective implementation of district emergency plans.

Dr Naseer said Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) should be engaged with Rescue teams in all districts to make emergency management plans more effective and pragmatic. He further ordered that close coordination must be maintained with district and tehsil headquarter hospitals for better management of victims of emergencies.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 30^th, 2019.