Rescue-1122 looking at broader horizons

INSARAG certification will allow it to perform services abroad

LAHORE:

Rescue-1122 is looking to register with the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) in September, after which a special team of 51 Rescue-1122 officials will start training for certification with the INSARAG. The certification will allow the service to handle emergency situations and rescue missions following natural disasters in other countries.  

After the team completes a rigorous training programme under strict international standards, Rescue-1122 could become the first emergency response service in the region to be certified by INSARAG, UN-OCHA International Mentor for INSARAG Edward G Pearns told The Express Tribune.



Pearns was speaking at the newly established Emergency Service Academy at Thokar Niaz Beg. He said the disaster response training for INSARAG certification was an arduous process. Even though the team members had completed several stages of training, it could take up to two years to obtain the certification.  “Very few countries in the world have such teams.”

Pearns stressed the need for professionals trained in disaster response to deal with calamities. “Often disaster ‘tourists’ and volunteers travel to calamity-hit sites in other countries with the intent to help the victims but lack the knowhow.”

A disaster response force looking to help in other countries first needs to be able to cope with emergencies at home, he said. “The training Rescue-1122 officials have been undergoing will equip them to competently serve the local and the international community.”

Rescue-1122 has grown leaps and bounds, Pearns said, since he last visited the country to evaluate the Civil Defence Department. “There has been dramatic progress since.” The service has managed to provide emergency services to over 34 million citizens and has trained over 10,000 rescuers at the Emergency Services Academy in a decade. “That is a commendable effort, credit for which goes to Rescue-1122’s founding director general Dr Rizwan Naseer and his team.”

Pearns appreciated, what he called, Rescue-1122’s can-do attitude and strong motivation. He commended the facilities provided at the Emergency Services Academy and said they were second to none.

However, the need for implementation of an effective national disaster management policy could not be stressed too much, Pearns said. The government needs to adopt a proactive approach without worrying about finances. “Disasters can hit without warning.”



Answering a question about the scale of disasters and Rescue-1122’s capability in handling them on their own, Pearns said nowhere in the world could a disaster response force handle an emergency situation on its own. “The response starts with a core group of professionals, however, it is the local and community support networks that come to their aid and make their efforts successful.”

He said professionals are aware of how to adopt strategies to involve coordinated efforts in order to save the maximum number of victims. “Disaster response in many cases is successful because of the active community participation… Rescue-1122 has been working along these lines.”

When asked why the number of casualties in disaster-hit Western countries is often less than in Pakistan, Pearns said community-based programmes are instrumental in this regard. He said it was important for citizens to know what to do in such situations. There must be local leaders who could help in such situations, he said. Their efforts should be coordinated with the relevant authorities and departments. “Rescue missions sometimes fail to deliver because of poor coordination among citizens and relevant departments.”

On a possible strategy to control traffic accidents, Pearns said implementing traffic rules was essential. “For that, you need to change the culture of the society and the mind-set of people.” He said Rescue-1122’s motto was Saving Lives and Changing Minds. “Though they are working hard to make the latter half of their motto possible, it cannot happen overnight.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2015.