ISLAMABAD – Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Tuesday attended a mock fire extinguishing exercise and announced to launch a state-of-the-art Modern Rescue Service .

He visited Fire Brigade Office of Capital Development Authority where he witnessed training exercises including extinguishing the fire and emergency landing of the rescue officers. Chief Commissioner Islamabad and Chairman CDA Amir Ali Ahmed was also present on the occasion while Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Hamza Shafqat who is also appointed Administrator Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad briefed the minister about Authority’s plans to expand the rescue services across the city on modern lines.

It was informed that a new emergency service would be introduced by combining existing Rescue 1122, Fire Brigade and all other emergency services so that any emergency situation in the city could be dealt well in time and improved emergency services could be provided to the citizen.

It was informed further that not only new machinery and ambulances will be procured but trained human resource would also be added. The Minister was briefed that 10 off road ambulances would be repaired and made functional shortly which would further reduce the response time.

It was further informed that PC-1 for procurement of 26 new ambulances and enhancement of manpower has been prepared which will be submitted for approval this week. It was also informed that three more emergency stations are being set up, one at Rawat, another at Chungi No 26, and a third at IJP Road. The provision of trained staff and modern equipment at all these emergency stations will be ensured so that any untoward incident can be dealt with immediately.

The minister was further informed that a new uniform will also be introduced for this emergency service while training programmes for existing staff will also be arranged to train them as per the modern requirements.