Rescue Punjab Director General Dr Rizwan Naseer has said that Rescue 1122 shall observe 2015 as the “Year of Safety” and shall focus on community safety.
Presiding over a meeting Thursday, the DG reviewed the performance of Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) during 2014. The meeting was attended by all heads of the services’ wings.
“Ninety percent working of emergency services in developed countries is focused on fire prevention,” said Naseer, adding that in the new year, several programs for prevention of emergencies shall be launched including School Safety Program and establishment of Community Emergency Response Teams in all towns and tehsils of Punjab.
Furthermore these teams shall be trained for Disaster Response and Community-Based Risk Reduction for prevention of emergencies, he added.
Naseer said that over the last 10 years, Rescue 1122 has emerged as a successful model of emergency services delivery. He said that Rescue 1122 is working closely with the communities to enhance disaster response capacity, risk reduction and prevention of emergencies for the establishment of safer communities in all districts of Punjab.
Moreover, he said that Rescue 1122 has ensured provision of basic right to timely emergency care without discrimination of caste, color or creed.
“Now the service shall undertake evidence-based research on the number and nature of emergencies to recommend measures for prevention of emergencies,” he said.