Rescue 1122 budget increased

LAHORE

The Punjab government has earmarked Rs 2150 million to Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) under Annual Development Programme (ADP-2016-17) registering a slight increase of 13.17 per cent as compared to last year’s allocation of Rs 1900 million ending on June 30, 2016.

However, this seemingly substantial increase in percentage is mere peanuts in material terms as Emergency Service will receive a meager Rs 250 million extra amount during next financial year. It is particularly unfortunate for the emergency ambulance service, which has maintained its efficiency within limited resources despite rise in incidences of accidents, fires, natural disasters and spate of terrorism.

The Emergency Service sector in Punjab has got by Rs 2150 million for executing 17 schemes, including 9 ongoing schemes and 8 new schemes during forthcoming fiscal year. The Punjab government has kept Rs 1,884 million for 9 ongoing schemes and Rs 266 million for 8 new schemes in Emergency Service sector.

The Emergency Service aims to establish an effective system for emergency preparedness, response, protection & prevention, while contributing towards building socially responsible, healthy, resilient, and safer communities. Its objectives include provision of the right to timely emergency care by providing quality emergency service as per international standards; undertake research to recommend evidence based measures to related organization for prevention of emergencies; contribute towards establishment of socially responsible community emergency response team through awareness, enrollment, training & organizing volunteers for emergency preparedness, response and prevention.

The Punjab government has established modern pre-hospital emergency management infrastructure in all District headquarters. Punjab Emergency Service has been established for professional management of emergencies such as accidents, buildings collapse, explosions, fires, hazardous material incidents and disasters.

After the establishment of Service in all Districts of Punjab, phase wise expansion in all Tehsils of Punjab is presently underway and so far 89 Tehsils/Towns have been covered and a project covering remaining 62 Tehsils has been approved to be started in FY 2016-17.

The enactment of Punjab Emergency Service Act, 2006 clearly defines the role, functions and responsibilities of the Rescue 1122 Service thus establishing an effective system for emergency preparedness, response and prevention in Punjab.

The sustainable Human Resource Development has been ensured through the establishment of Emergency Services Academy at Thokar Niaz Beg. Further, the strengthening of the said Academy with the cost of Rs. 460 million is also underway.

In order to ensure the capacity of the Emergency Service in District Lahore a project has been taken up to manage emergencies in high rise buildings.

During fiscal year 2015-16, the Emergency Service completed schemes including establishment of Rescue 1122 station at Kamonki, Waziranbad and Noshehra Virkan, Emergency Service Academy at Lahore, 1122 at Borewala and Tibba Sultanpur, Vehari.

The new initiatives include establishment of Urban Search & Rescue Units of Rescue 1122 at Divisional Level (Revenue), approach road and mosque in the premises of Punjab Emergency Services Academy, Lahore, and setting up of Emergency Service at Tehsils Hassanabdal & Jand District Attock.

The Emergency Service has set targets for FY 2016-17 that include starting work on the establishment of Emergency Service in remaining 62 Tehsil (Phase-III), completion of expansion of Emergency Service to Tehsils (Phase-II), new Rescue 1122 Station at Maraka, Badian Road, and Nazir Garden Opposite Journalist Colony, Wagha, Lahore.