RAWALPINDI: Following the fire incident at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), the divisional administration of Rawalpindi has realised that there are no fire hydrants at government hospitals in five districts of the division, and directed authorities concerned to install them on an emergency basis.

There is the need of 49 hydrants in and around the government hospitals in the division, including Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum. Officials at a meeting chaired by Commissioner Salman Ghani claimed that 21 hydrants had been installed.

The meeting was held to review public health, fire safety and emergency response measures in hospitals. Additional Commissioner Coordination Zeinia Humayun, Director Health Dr Ijaz, MS Holy Family, BBH, DHQ hospital and heads of relevant departments attended the meeting.

The deputy commissioners of Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Murree, Attock and Chakwal attended the meeting via video link.

49 hydrants needed in hospitals in Rawalpindi, Murree, Attock, Chakwal and Jhelum, meeting informed

A total of 49 hydrants were required in the hospitals of Rawalpindi division, while 21 have been installed, said the commissioner. He said the installation of the remaining hydrants will be completed soon. He directed that fire wardens and managers should be nominated in all hospitals.

He said fire extinguishers in all hospitals should be 100 per cent functional and usable. Moreover, regular inspection, pressure checking and maintenance of fire extinguishers should also be ensured. He said responsible officers and relevant staff should be immediately available in any emergency situation.

The meeting was informed that hydrants in the hospitals were being connected to underground water, tubewells and water storage to ensure 24-hour water availability. It was informed that 98pc of fire extinguishers in the hospitals of Attock district were in the usable condition.

Emergency training of all medical and other staff is underway in the hospitals of Attock.

Fire safety and building audit of all hospitals in Chakwal have been completed, while 21 hydrants were required in the hospitals of Chakwal.

Electric wiring review and building audit have been completed in all hospitals in Jhelum. New hydrants have been installed in the Teaching Headquarters Hospital Murree, while work on installing the remaining required hydrants was underway. Mock exercises of all hospital staff of Murree have also been completed.

On the other hand, an official of Wasa informed the meeting that on an emergency basis, work on the installation of hydrants was being launched. He said two hydrants each were being installed around Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital and Benazir Bhutto Hospital. He said Wasa launched a survey to lay new water supply lines in the hospitals and after that four hydrants will be installed next month.

Meanwhile, the commissioner visited BBH and inspected various departments and reviewed risk assessment measures, fire safety equipment and arrangements as well as staff attendance.

The commissioner directed the hospital administration to identify locations where IR cameras should be installed to ensure the prompt detection of smoke. He also inspected the emergency exit routes and directed that all emergency exits must remain open and accessible at all times. He stressed that no obstruction or storage of equipment should be allowed along emergency routes.

He directed that all fire safety equipment must remain fully functional and ready for use at all times.

He also said adequate staff must be available round the clock in the emergency department and all other critical sections.

He said once the hospital provides a certificate stating that required measurements for risk management have been taken, the administration will hire a third party to evaluate them.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2026