The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Administrator Hashim Raza Zaidi has said that after the issue of payment of employees’ salaries, the KMC’s first priority is to improve the KMC Fire Brigade Department and pack it with modern equipment. He said small fire fighting vehicles would be purchased for the purpose which could move in congested streets and markets to easily arrive at the affected place in emergency situations.
He said this while addressing officers after a briefing of an international company about provision of modern equipment along with fire brigades and vehicles to the fire brigade department.
KMC Chief Officer Matanat Ali Khan, KMC Director General Technical Services Altaf G Memon, KMC Senior Director Finance Munawwar Imam, KMC Senior Director Municipal Services Dr Shaukat Zaman, KMC Chief Fire Officer Ehtishamud Din and other officers were also present on the occasion.
Karachi administrator said that each month hundred officers and employees of the fire brigade department should be provided with modern training in terms of fire fighting, provision of basic medical aid, civil defence and rescue operations for which the assistance of expert trainers from the Civil Defence Academy of Lahore and Islamabad would be sought.
He further said that at the time of emergency, big fire fighting vehicles could not enter some areas of the city, including Old City Area, Lyari, Boulton Market and Lines Area, which in turned resulted in wasting of precious lives and property. Therefore it was necessary to include small vehicles to the fire brigade department.
On this occasion Dr Shaukat informed that 1,355 employees and officers were working in the mentioned department and all employees were provided with basic fire fighting training.
He also informed that 11 Emergency Response Centres have been established so far, out of which eight centres have fire tenders, ambulances and rescue staff round the clock.
Karachi administrator directed KMC senior director municipal services and KMC chief fire officer to provide him with complete information of the department in two days and to improve the department on modern lines.
He also directed the officials concerned to get fixed the damaged fire fighting vehicles so that timely help could be sent in emergency situations.
On this occasion, a company of the Kingdom of Bahrain namely Amaan International gave a briefing about modern equipments and fire brigades.
