First International Office of the Asian Fire Service Association starts working in Lahore

Lahore: The Director General, Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) Dr. Rizwan Naseer inaugurated first International Office of the Asian Fire Service Association (AFSA) of United Kingdom at Emergency Services Academy in order to enhance capacity of the trainers; revise curriculum of training, and to strengthen mutual cooperation between AFSA & Rescue 1122 in future. DG Rescue Punjab Dr. Rizwan Naseer & AFSA’s Chairman of UK Mr. Mehrban Sadiq formally inaugurated the office, whereas the AFSA’s Fire Instructor/ Technical Expert Mr. Keith Trotter and AFSA’s Secretary General Ms Yasmeen, Deputy Director (Training) Dr. Farhan Khalid and other officers were also present on this occasion.

While initiating this collaborative step, Dr. Rizwan Naseer said that the Emergency Services Academy welcomes the establishment of AFSA’s International office. He said that the step has been initiated to enhance emergency services capacity, which unfortunately has been neglected in the developing countries; to review the curriculum of the training wings, suggest necessary addition and to enhance practical skills of the rescue instructors. He said that the office shall work as a focal point between Emergency Services Academy, Pakistan, and AFSA to enhance future collaboration of the AFSA with other regional countries. Dr. Rizwan Naseer further said that the office shall help in ensuring the standard of the training imparted to the Rescuers at the Emergency Services Academy as per British standards. Moreover, the Rescue 1122 shall be able to revise and review training programs in collaboration with the Asian Fire Service Association.

Mr. Mehrban Sadiq on this occasion said that AFSA has established its first international office at the newly established Emergency Services Academy in Pakistan from where we shall be able to enhance professional collaboration between Rescue 1122 and AFSA. He further said that the AFSA would work as a helping hand in expediting international accreditation of Rescue 1122 and its instructors with international stakeholders in the field of emergency services. “The curriculum of training of rescue cadets shall be revised/ modified after detailed review by the AFSA’s fire and technical experts,” he said. At this occasion Mr Keith Trotter, the Technical Expert AFSA said that the development and progress of Rescue 1122 in such a short period of time is commendable.