Islamabad to get fire rescue boost

In a major boost to Islamabad's fire and rescue system following the tragic PIMS hospital fire, China is set to provide 21 modern fire and rescue vehicles along with advanced emergency equipment worth around Rs3 billion.

The equipment will be supplied under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between Pakistan and China in 2024. According to sources, the total value of the package is 72.31 million Chinese yuan, equivalent to approximately Rs3 billion.

The package includes 21 fire and rescue vehicles as well as modern equipment for firefighting, rescue operations and dealing with other emergencies.

A key component of the package is a modern snorkel fire tender designed for firefighting and rescue operations in high-rise buildings. The new vehicle can reportedly reach heights of around 88 metres, compared with the approximately 68-metre reach of vehicles currently available with Islamabad's fire and rescue service. Its addition is expected to significantly enhance the capital's capacity to conduct firefighting and rescue operations in high-rise buildings.

The development comes in the wake of the tragic fire at the nursery ward of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), in which 14 newborn babies lost their lives. The incident has raised serious questions about fire safety, emergency exits and rescue facilities at hospitals and other key buildings in the capital.

The tragedy has also highlighted the importance of modern firefighting vehicles, trained personnel and an effective emergency response system.

Sources said the last major purchase of fire vehicles and related equipment for the CDA Fire and Rescue Department was made in 2006. Since then, the process of upgrading the department's firefighting resources has failed to progress at the required pace.

The provision of 21 modern fire and rescue vehicles and related equipment by China is therefore being viewed as a major step towards modernising Islamabad's ageing fire and rescue system.

Under the 2024 agreement, the equipment is expected to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Capital Emergency Service and CDA Fire Department. The vehicles can be used not only for firefighting but also for traffic accidents, high-rise rescues, building collapses, urban search and rescue operations, natural disasters and other emergencies.

The Chinese assistance includes not only fire tenders but also specialised rescue and emergency equipment, which is expected to help strengthen the capital's overall emergency response system.