UK to train Rescue 1122 how to fire fighting ,signs MoU

Lahore: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Rescue 1122, Pakistan and Asian Fire Service Association (AFSA), United Kingdom, for building upon the existing spirit and cooperation between the two organizations. The MoU was signed by DG Punjab Emergency Services, Dr. Rizwan Naseer and Executive Member of AFSA Mehrban Sadiq.

According to the MoU, AFSA keeping in view its mission would like to collaborate with Rescue 1122 looking at its commitment to work for the establishment of safer communities and the challenge it faces in ensuring optimal standard of emergency service delivery.

The AFSA shall also provide expertise to review & develop / update the curriculum outlines and syllabus of trainings imparted and training the trainers of the Emergency Services Academy. The AFSA shall further send instructors to monitor &

evaluate the courses being conducted at Emergency Services Academy and functioning of the service to ensure the standards of the emergency services in Pakistan.

The Governor Punjab Mohammad Sarwar, while addressing the delegation, said that Rescue 1122 is providing with a sense of safety to citizens of Pakistan besides ensuring provision of the basic right to timely emergency care to citizens in case of emergency. While recalling his memories in Scotland and Britain, he said that he served the people of Scotland for 30 years and he learnt that they love the people of other countries.

Muhammad Sarwar said that he was proud on every member of Rescue 1122 and its capacity can be enhanced to international standard through cooperation of AFSA. He said that Britain has always great contribution for welfare of the people of Pakistan as recently Gordon Brown provided millions of dollars for improvement in education in Pakistan.

The Governor Punjab further said, “On behalf of the people of Punjab and the Punjab Government, I’m thankful for your valuable visit of Pakistan and I believe this would of great significance in future”. Earlier, a five-member delegation comprising of  Neal Pickers Gill, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service,  Keith Trotter and Mr. Mehrban Sadiq, Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service,  Muhammad Ali, West Yorkshire and  Muhammad Riaz met Governor Punjab in connection with their weeklong stay in Lahore, where the delegation reviewed training activities, rescue staff, curriculum and recommendations, SOPs, fire engineering and building safety codes, inspected Provincial Monitoring Cell, delivered lectures on health and safety and fire rescue operations, reviewed draft of fire prevention and community safety act.

On this occasion, DG Rescue Punjab Dr. Rizwan Naseer also shared the purpose and objectives of establishment of Rescue 1122 in Pakistan. Before inception of this emergency service, he said, Ambulance; Fire & Rescue Services were virtually non-existent in Pakistan. He said that over 90 percent working of fire services in developed countries were related to fire safety and fire prevention. DG Rescue Punjab further thanked the AFSA for visiting; reviewing and sharing best international practices to promote fire safety in Pakistan.

Mehrban Sadiq also said on this occasion that even UK’s emergency services do not have emergency ladder comprising over 200 feet because they don’t need for it, as fire safety codes and building bylaws have been strictly implemented in UK. The members of the delegation appreciated the response of Rescue 1122 during emergencies and assured of complete cooperation from Asian Fire Association and fire & rescue services for emergency staff of Rescue 1122 in future.