Rescuers’ services lauded on Int’l Firefighters Day

LAHORE : Emergency Services Department Punjab organised a ceremony to pay tribute to the firefighters on International Firefighters Day on Saturday.

Provincial Minister for Health and Emergency Services Punjab Khawaja Salman Rafique was the chief guest at the ceremony. Secretary Emergency Services Department Punjab Dr Rizwan Naseer and other officials were also present on this occasion.

A minute of silence was observed for the martyrs of Emergency Services Department Punjab. Two additional salaries and commemorative shields were also distributed to the best firefighters of 2024.

Addressing the ceremony, Khawaja Salman said that our rescuers are rendering invaluable services to protect the lives and property of the people. We pay tribute to the invaluable sacrifices of the rescuers who sacrificed their lives during the performance of their duties. Punjab rescuers are making Pakistan proud all over the world. Rescuers helped thousands of people in trouble in the 2010 floods, he added.

The provincial health minister said that Air Ambulance Service was the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the emergency services are being successfully carried out on the motorway. Punjab Chief Minister recently approved the purchase of 300 new ambulances. He also appreciates the services of Dr Rizwan Naseer.

Secretary Emergency Services Department Punjab Dr Rizwan Naseer, while addressing the ceremony, said that the Fire Rescue Service has saved the public from losses worth Rs716 billion in 260,830 fire incidents.

The Punjab Emergency Service has provided rescue services to more than 17.1 million people and the Punjab Emergency Service has responded to 4.4 million road traffic accidents so far.

The 24 martyrs of Rescue 1122 are great heroes of the nation. 100% implementation of Punjab Community Safety Buildings Regulations 2022 is essential, he added.

He said rescuers save the lives of others by putting their own lives in danger. Fire hydrants, alarm systems, exits and stairs must be installed in high-rise buildings.

Firefighters are our heroes who go into burning buildings and save lives. Pakistan is the first team in South Asia to be certified by the United Nations. The removal of encroachments from markets and roads has improved the rescue response, he added.

Dr Rizwan said that the Water Rescue Service rescued 18,612 drowning emergencies and more than 328,000 flood victims. Firefighters are the real heroes of the nation, their sacrifices will always be remembered. International training was provided to the firefighters from Glasgow.

Special prayers were offered for Rescue officers, cadets and the rescuers participated in the International Firefighters Day ceremony.

M Saqlain Azam was declared the best fire rescuer and Muneeb Azhar was declared the best lead fire rescuer. Certificates and cash prizes were given to the best firefighters and lead fire rescuers at the divisional level.