CDA remembers earthquake victims with mock rescue drill

Islamabad
The Emergency and Disaster Management Directorate of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Thursday organised a mock rescue drill at the Islamabad Stock Exchange (ISE) Tower to commemorate the deadly earthquake of October 8, 2005.
Speaking on the occasion, CDA Chairman Maroof Afzal said that the CDA Emergency and Disaster Management Directorate is fully equipped and ready to deal with any emergency situation in the federal capital, but dedicated hard work and commitment is needed to meet the expectations of the citizens.
He said that such mock drills not only help identify weaknesses in our system and provide an opportunity for improvement and enhancement in capabilities and skills of the fire-fighting and rescue staff but also test the readiness and effectiveness of fire-fighting vehicles and equipment. He said that the CDA is also establishing Disaster Management Academy in Sector H-11.
He said that fire substations have been established in various sectors and fire-fighting vehicles have been deputed at these stations to minimise response time to reach at the site of emergency.
Similarly, apart from fire-fighters, water rescue teams have been trained to cope with any flood situation in the city. These teams have been trained by the Pakistan Navy. He said that Islamabad is the only city in Pakistan where Fire Protection Regulation 2010 has been promulgated. It has been mandated by this regulation to install firefighting equipment and provision of precautionary and safety measures in all buildings. The CDA can fine up to Rs500,000 to any violator of this regulation. The CDA is carrying out survey of all buildings in Islamabad for implementation of this regulation.
He said that after the deadly earthquake of October 8, 2005, Emergency and Disaster Management Directorate have been developed on modern lines.
CDA Member Environment Syed Mustafain Kazmi apprised the chairman of the details of equipment, fire tenders and fire-fighting crew of the directorate. He said that CDA’s EDM Directorate is serving efficiently and with professional expertise. He said that such mock drills are organised to test the state of preparedness of rescue staff and equipment.
The exercise was an impressive display of skill, preparedness, mobility and zeal of the fire fighters and rescue workers. The fire-fighters and rescue staff exhibited their command on use of machinery, vehicles, allied equipment and sniffing dogs for the purpose of meeting any emergency situation in the metropolis.
A big fleet of fire brigade and rescue service '1122' took part in the exercise. Fire-fighting tenders, snorkels, rescue vans, commander van and ambulances and sniffer dogs participated in the exercise.