Punjab Emergency Service finalises projects

LAHORE: A district emergency officers’ conference was organised to finalise the guidelines for deployment of emergency ambulances service (EAS) and patient transfer vehicles (PTV) at rescue headquarters.

Punjab Emergency Service Director General Dr Rizwan Naseer presided over the conference which was attended by all the officers concerned. They apprised the DG Rescue that after the handing over of various kinds of ambulances by the health department and other organisations to manage the functions of patient transfer services.

It was essential to differentiate between emergency ambulance services and patient transfer services on the base of field experiences. It was also essential to finalise the standardised criteria for both the services.

On this occasion, it was unanimously declared by all the DEOs that the EAS was fit for emergency response and meeting the minimum requirement of height for cardio pulmonary resuscitation and treatment of emergency patients which includes ambulances built on high – roof vans or four wheel drive vehicles. These ambulances will carry blue and red strips with punjab emergency service written on each side and Rescue 1122 on side windows glasses and back screens with monogram in the front of the vehicle. All these ambulances will be equipped with life-saving equipment and shall have at least two emergency medical technicians with one rescue driver or out of two emergency medical technicians one should be an EMT driver with valid LTV license from National Highway and Motorway Police.

Besides, the EMT driver should accordingly be given an additional charge allowance till the approval of additional incentive for working as a driver in addition to his own duties. The staff shall wear standardised green uniform with proper dark red Barret cap, reflecting helmet and black safety shoes and maintain fitness essential for any emergency service staff. Accordingly, the vehicles handed over by the health department and other organisations not meeting the criteria for an emergency ambulance service shall not be given the identification of Punjab Emergency Service or Rescue 1122. These ambulances shall have Government of the Punjab written in green on each side with reflecting tape on each side and PTS written in red on side windows glasses and rear screen.