How to save a life

Fire incidents rise upto 27 per cent in Punjab

Lahore: In order to deal with the rise in fire related incidents, Punjab emergency service, Rescue 1122 has started to take notice of all high-rise buildings in the most populous province (Punjab), to ensure the availability of fire related extinguishers at such premises. This will save the precious human and financial loss.

According to the official statistics, during the previous year of 2022, 26,477 fire incidents were reported in all 36 districts of Punjab. This is a steep increase of 27 per cent, as compared to the previous year 2021, when 20,810 cases of fire were reported.

Talking exclusively to Bol News, Director General Rescue 1122 Dr Rizwan Naseer, said that every building which was 50 feet and above, in Punjab was being looked into; to ensure availability of fire extinguishing equipment. He said that a team of different departments led by every district officer of Rescue 1122, has been formed to conduct surveys of such buildings.

To a question, the DG Rescue said after identifying dangerous buildings across Punjab, they have started sending notices to their owners. In case of non-compliance, strict actions will be taken against owners of such dangerous buildings including sealing the premises, he added. “We can’t put the lives of people in danger. Unfortunately, we don’t have such professionals in abundance who can design buildings, keeping in mind the safety requirements.”

The DG said many deaths have been reported due to ill planning and non-existence of emergency equipment at high-rise buildings.

“We’re taking these steps after the Punjab Community Safety Buildings Regulations 2022 were approved and notified under the Punjab Community Safety Act.”

The recent legislation has bound the building owners to submit applications for issuing Safety Measure Certificates for buildings taller than 50 feet. The new laws make it mandatory upon the developers to provide details for safety measures installed in structures taller than 50 feet.

The developers have been advised to make the following arrangements:

• Emergency exits and staircases
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• Exit signs
• Automatic sprinkler system
• Clear emergency paths and corridors
• Fire extinguishers of various kinds and fire classifications
• First Aid box and Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
• Working hydrant systems
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• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system
• Evacuation plans, emergency areas, and drills

According to Dr Rizwan Naseer, exit, drill and hydrants are key components to ensure safety during fire incidents.

According to the DG Rescue, other than dealing with rescue emergencies including road traffic crashes, medical, fire, structural collapse, crime, drowning, fall from height/slip, snake emergencies and delivery, the government has assigned them this new task.

“I have directed all DEOs to ensure community building safety regulations in buildings which are 50 feet and above. It is a must to save lives and properties.”

Dr Naseer added, that “Rescue 1122 rescued over 17, 48,255 emergency victims. They also responded to 15, 36,638 emergencies during the year 2022 which are 21.7 per cent more than the year 2021.” He claimed that during the last 18 years, Rescue Service has emerged as a successful model of emergency services delivery for South Asian countries. He said that the team of Emergency Services Academy has become the first United Nations INSARAG classified team in South Asia.

He further added that Rescue 1122 had rescued over 80,000 flood affectees and provided transportation to over 1,25,000 people to safer places during the recent floods.

Talking about the increase of road accidents, the DG Rescue 1122 said there were multiple factors contributing for road accidents, and there was an alarming increase in population, vehicles and ultimately traffic on roads.

“Unfortunately, 80 per cent road accidents in Punjab occur involving motorcycles. If we go for electric motorcycles then there would be  a reduction in accidents by 50 per cent. This would also have a great impact on our environment as well.”