SAHIWAL: Rescue 1122 Pakpattan office organised the ‘Third Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)’ competition among 10 union councils at the main playground of the city on Wednesday.

The contest that was watched by a large number of students of schools and colleges, besides other locals, was won by the six-member team of the UC 20-SP.

Dr Ihtasham Mazhar, District Emergency Officer, told Dawn the competition was organised under the Community Safety Programme of the Rescue 1122 where the contestants showed their skills regarding prevention and handling of emergencies, aimed at creation of a safe environment for the community.

He said the winning team would participate in a province-level CERT competition to be held from December 2 to 4 at the Emergency Services Academy, Lahore.

Dr Ihtasham said Rescue 1122 had started the programme involving rural union councils to train young volunteers from local communities in handling any emergency situation immediately.

He said Rescue 1122 had organised a week-long course titled ‘Community Action for Disaster Responses’ involving volunteers from 10 rural UCs where they were trained in handling emergencies.

A volunteer, Abdul Qayyum, said at the end of the week-long course a six member team was selected from each UC on the basis of performance.

Regarding the course criteria, he said any 18-year-old person having passed intermediate examination could participate in the course that includes basic training in trauma management, techniques for water and fire rescue, handling disaster situation, relief to emergency patients etc.

Rescue 1122 had formed 10 CERTs, one each from UCs 20, 21, 23, 27, 28, 32, 34, 37, 42 and 49.

Shan Ali, a member of the winning team, said involving local communities in prevention and handling of emergency situations was a good concept and local youth must be engaged in such work.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2019