ISLAMABAD: In a first of its kind in a public sector hospital, a full-scale mock fire-fighting exercise has been conducted at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Burn Care Center (BCC) to examine the state of their preparedness to cope with fire and first aid emergencies.
BCC Director Professor Tariq and Deputy Director Dr Zoofisha Jabeen Fatima monitored the mock drill exercise at the center, dealing with aspects such as rescue operations and dousing flames by use of automatic sprinkler system. All staff including doctors, paramedics and other officials of the BCC actively participated in the drill.
The exercise was aimed at testing the preparedness of all concerned agencies with regard to any emergency situation, besides rechecking all fire extinguishing equipment installed in the center. Moreover, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) disaster cell and fire-brigade also participated in the exercise and extinguished the fire successfully.
A senior official at the BCC told Pakistan Today that the main purpose of the exercise was to check the preparedness of the staff to deal with any eventuality and to recheck the fire extinguishing equipment installed at the center. He added that such exercises should be conducted at the hospital to check the readiness of the hospital for dealing with any untoward situation, but so far no such drills had been conducted.
He also said that along with the hospital’s staff, citizens should also have the basic fire-fighting knowledge as it would help minimise the damage during emergencies. The official informed that such exercises would be held in the facility at regular intervals to prepare the staff according to international standards.
According to details, a fire was lit on the ground alongside the building of the center and the emergency message was originated following which a fire-brigade was called in. The hospital staff rushed to the site instantly and the fire-brigade reached within few minutes, took part in the fire-fighting operation and successfully extinguished the fire.
The exercise will help the BCC meet any real emergency and to overcome shortcomings of the various departments, besides enabling the management to assess the prompt response and coordination among all agencies in case of an emergency situation at the center.