Rescue teams are ready to help Nepal earthquake victims: Dr. Rizwan Naseer

Lahore: The Director General, Punjab Emergency Services (Rescue 1122) & Emergency Services Academy Dr. Rizwan Naseer, while addressing the specialized Search & Rescue Team of Rescue 1122 and Emergency Services Academy, said that team has been on standby since the Nepal Earthquake on Saturday morning.

He further said that the team needs to maintain a high level of preparedness and readiness to be able to effectively respond to any disaster within the country or internationally as it has been performing during the floods since 2010 and several building collapse incidents nationally. He appreciated the efforts of the team for maintaining a high level of alertness and readiness. The team has been established according to the United National International Search & Rescue Advisory Group guidelines and comprises of the Team Leader, Deputy Team Leader, Planning and Coordination, and three Squads of Search & Rescue; Medical Team, Logistic Team and Communication Team etc. The Search & Rescue Team Leader Dr. Farhan Khalid and Deputy Team Leaders Dr. Ali Imam Syed & Mian Muhammad Ahsan and Squad Leaders Engr. Shakeel Ahmed, Farhan Mirza and Muddasir Bokhari, Communication Officer Naeem Murtaza, Safety Officer Engr. Hafiz Taimoor and the entire team have been put on high alert in this regard.

The Director General further said that the team would remain standby till further orders and can be mobilized within one hour in case of any humanitarian call from the Government of Pakistan. Dr. Rizwan Naseer said that the Search & Rescue Teams of Rescue 1122 and Emergency Services Academy are in continuous collaboration with International Search and Rescue Teams; therefore, they have gained the capability to respond to any nature of disaster nationally or internationally.