The Director General, Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122), Dr Rizwan Naseer on Tuesday reviewed emergency arrangements for upcoming general elections and directed all the district emergency officers (DEOs)to ensure proper emergency medical, rescue and fire arrangements for May 11, 2013.
While chairing a meeting of district emergency officers here on Tuesday, the Director General asked them to review all plans and ensure proper emergency cover. He further stressed that DEOs should fully collaborate with the district administrations to ensure free and fair elections.
He also directed them to provide best possible proper and well co-ordinated emergency arrangements to political processions in accordance with the instructions issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan. The Director General asked the DEOs to share their problems and shortcomings being faced by them during emergency operations so that they may be resolved timely.
As per the election contingency plan, over 8000 rescue officials shall be deployed in shifts by restricting their leaves and the Rescue Service shall remain on high alert in Punjab especially in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sargodha, Murree, Rahim Yar Khan and Sahiwal.
Mobile emergency posts shall be established near sensitive polling stations and back up staff shall remain on high alert to provide immediate response and rescue if needed in any district of Punjab. Emergency officers including trained doctors shall supervise the arrangements on the day of polling.
Dr Rizwan Naseer has directed the DEOs to ensure appropriate level of preparedness especially during any mass gatherings and rallies by effective reviewing site & egress plans and accordingly deploy appropriate resources. He also directed them to develop close co-ordination with district administration and refrain from any political bias.