Drones to aid firefighting in Islamabad

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has announced plans to introduce modern firefighting techniques, including the deployment of drones, to effectively respond to fire incidents in high-rise buildings across the federal capital.

The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by CDA Chairman and Islamabad Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa at the authority's headquarters to review fire safety arrangements and emergency preparedness for tall and sensitive structures.

The meeting was attended by CDA Member Finance Tahir Naeem, Member Planning and Design Dr Khalid Hafiz, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon, the directors general of Building and Housing Control and Capital Emergency Services, along with other senior officials.

Officials informed the meeting that under the proposed plan, drones would be used to support firefighting and rescue operations in high-rise buildings, particularly in situations where conventional access for emergency teams is limited. The initiative is part of broader efforts to modernise Islamabad's emergency response system.

The meeting was also briefed that prior approval of a building's fire safety plan from the CDA is mandatory before the construction of any new structure, while fire safety certification in accordance with Pakistan Engineering Council codes is compulsory for all new public and private buildings.

Chairman Randhawa directed that all high-rise buildings in Islamabad be surveyed and categorised, emphasising the need to ensure fully functional fire safety systems and clearly marked emergency exits in every building.

He further called for a clear and effective mechanism to ensure that older and sensitive buildings strictly comply with fire safety regulations and directed that the fire safety audit system be strengthened and rigorously enforced.

The CDA chairman also instructed Capital Emergency Services, in coordination with the district administration, to conduct regular emergency simulation drills in high-rise buildings and to immediately address the department's human resource requirements.