Rescue 1122’s Fire Service saved losses worth over Rs. 189 billion:Dr. Arshad Zia

Lahore: DG Rescue Punjab Brig. (r) Dr. Arshad Zia reviewed performance of Fire Service of Rescue 1122 and said that it is need of the hour to ensure implementation of Fire & Life Safety standards as per building bylaws to prevent increasing numbers of Fire Incidents and protect the citizens especially those living in high rise buildings.

The fire emergency data shows that back-to-back fire incidents took place due to violation or poor implementation of fire & life safety codes. He also emphasized on public sensitization for timely call in case of all emergencies especially fire incidents for timely effective and professional response. He further said clear marked emergency exists in the buildings can save maximum precious human lives in case of fire emergencies.

During a briefing, the Provincial Monitoring Cell (PMC) Rescue 1122 Punjab  revealed that Fire Service has responded to 11564 fire emergencies; saved losses worth over Rs. 26 billion and rescued 863 emergency victims in fire emergencies due to timely response and professional firefighting on modern lines in all districts of Punjab during 2015.

It has been further observed by data of Provincial Monitoring Cell Punjab that 863 persons were injured during fire emergencies all over the Punjab including 353 in Lahore, 73 in Rawalpindi and 70 in Faisalabad, whereas 68 people died all over the Punjab in fire emergency during 2015. Furthermore, 6017 fire cases took place due to Short Circuiting, 670 due to gas leakage and cause of 1916 fire incidents was ascertained as carelessness.

The PMC maintained that 112 cases were reported in LPG Cylinder blasts, 77 fireworks, 75 candle lights, 156 kitchen fires, 42 forest fires, 1047 unknown, 3532 other fires. Rescue 1122’s Fire Service shifted 400 injured persons to different hospitals in Punjab, whereas 395 people were provided first aid. The comparative analysis further shows that total 4277 fire emergencies took place in commercial areas and 3756 in residential and 3532 in other areas.

DG Rescue Punjab Dr. Arshad Zia said that although the Rescue 1122’s modern Fire Service since its inception in 2007, has saved losses worth over Rs. 189 billion while providing swift response to over 70,000 fire incidents and professional firefighting on modern lines, there was a dire need to establish on effective Fire Prevention system and an effective Land use & Building Control Authority.

The effective firefighting to all fire emergencies is linked with implementation of fire safety standards as per building bylaws especially availability of the fire hydrants, inside and outside the buildings, clear and standard emergency exits in the building and essential fire detection system.

Brig. Arshad Zia highlighted the core areas need to be addressed by the building owners of high rise buildings to ensure safe building construction, installation of proper emergency exits & stairs, fire alarms, availability of fire extinguishers, fire hydrants & sprinklers systems for high rise buildings, industry & warehouses for prevention of fire emergencies.

He further said the owners of the industrial units and occupants of high-rise buildings should also realize the significance of proper exits & fire safety and requested them not to risk their lives and their business by evading safety measures for limited financial gains compared to the total investments.