Punjab moves to deploy Rescue 1122 emergency officers in teaching hospitals

LAHORE, Aug 30 (APP): The Punjab Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education has taken another significant step to strengthen fire safety and emergency preparedness in government teaching hospitals, deciding to engage the services of Punjab Emergency Service Rescue 1122 for establishing a uniform and standardized emergency response mechanism across tertiary care hospitals.

According to official sources, a letter was issued to the Secretary, Emergency Services Department, Punjab on Sunday regarding the deployment of Rescue 1122 emergency officers in tertiary care hospitals across the province.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening emergency preparedness, response mechanisms and mutual coordination among relevant departments in tertiary care hospitals, particularly to prevent and effectively respond to fire and other emergency incidents.

The main objective of the initiative is to establish a robust, integrated and uniform emergency response system with clearly defined roles, command structures and escalation mechanisms across all tertiary care hospitals in Punjab.

Under the proposed mechanism, Rescue 1122 emergency officers will be responsible for standardizing and monitoring emergency response protocols. They will coordinate closely with hospital emergency departments, security personnel, fire safety teams and other relevant stakeholders to ensure an effective and timely response during emergencies.

The emergency officers will also conduct regular inspections of emergency exits, fire extinguishers and other life safety arrangements to ensure that essential safety equipment and evacuation facilities remain functional and accessible.

The move is part of the Specialized Healthcare Department’s ongoing efforts to improve safety standards in government teaching hospitals and develop a coordinated emergency response system capable of effectively dealing with fire incidents and other emergencies.