'Government in process of developing NFSP'

Programmes Director Fire, Public Safety and Emergency Management Division of the province of British Columbia, Canada and expert of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Pakistan, Suleman Shah Mahtab has said that the government is in the process of developing National Fire Safety Policy (NFSP) in consultation with trade bodies, industrialists and others.
Speaking at a meeting of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Thursday, he said that the main objective of this visit is to get feedback of business community on the policy making. He said that United Nations networks in Pakistan and NDMA are collectively working on this first-ever National Fire Safety Policy (NFSP) with main objective to conduct an extensive study of existing legislation, codes and standards pertaining to the emergency services in Pakistan.
He said after collecting all the details, a draft policy will be prepared and presented to the government for its consideration and approval. After getting approval a bill would be presented in the assembly for its approval and after its approval its implementation and monitoring of the law will be initiated.
He further said that an advisory committee will be established to guide individual, business community and managers of industries in case of emergency. The committee will remain approachable 24 hours for help and guidance. Suleman Shah Mahtab noted that over past few years there has been a profound increase in the fire-related incidents in Pakistan, resulting in a large number of fatalities, including some responders, and a huge loss of properties.
These massive fire incidents as well as growing transport accidents have duly attracted the attention of national and international communities, which had realised the need for an immediate and effective emergency preparation, prevention and response system. Suleman Shah further said that Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) rules are excellent and there is no need to change them.
However, implementation of KBCA rules does almost not exist. He said that NDMA is also in process of developing National, Provincial and District Emergency Operations Centres, Capacity Building, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and a National Data Base/Bank for resources of Emergency Services.