LAHORE: The International Firefighters’ Day was commemorated at Governor’s House on Monday to remember the firefighters who lost their lives while protecting people.

The ceremony was presided over by acting governor Rana Iqbal and attended by National Disaster Management Authority Chairman Maj-Gen Asghar Nawaz, Fire Safety Commission Secretary Rafay Alam and Rescue 1122 DG Dr Rizwan Naseer.

Mr Iqbal said firefighting was a respectable profession across the world and he saluted those fire tenders who lost their lives in the line of duty. He said in developed countries, the main focus of the fire and rescue services was fire prevention, therefore, local departments would have to come forward to establish safer communities in Pakistan.

He said fire fighters were regarded as heroes of society in the developed countries and he was happy to see that fire rescuers of Rescue 1122 had also earned great respect among the public.

Dr Naseer said Rescue 1122 provided timely emergency care to the public without discrimination, and the department was working with communities on emergency prevention and disaster risk reduction. He said fire emergencies were increasing which established the need for an effective fire prevention strategy in provinces.

Mr Alam said the urban development lacked proper planning, adding that although the first modern fire service existed in Pakistan but more work needed to be done.

Maj Gen Nawaz said they had started work on a national fire safety policy which would be done soon. The acting governor awarded prizes to best rescuers.

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2015

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