Rescue marks National Disaster Awareness Day

search and rescue, the communication system was collapsed badly, experts of search and rescue from other countries took few days to reach and assist the country.

Resultantly, large numbers of precious lives and property were lost during this Earthquake 2005 in Pakistan.

Governor Punjab said that every Disaster is an opportunity for development and smart nations learn from the disasters. The way Dr Rizwan Naseer DG Rescue accepted this challenge after this Earthquake 2005 to become the first United Nations INSARAG Certified Team in South Asia is very commendable and I am proud to associate with this organization since its inception.

Ch Sarwar recalled memories when Rescue Service was just an initial stage and I was requested to get the officers trained from UK Fire Service. I accepted the challenge and contributed to establishing the modern fire service system in the country. Ch Sarwar expressed his satisfaction over the preparedness of Disaster Response in the country due to Rescue Service. Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Disaster Management Mian Khalid Mehmood highly appreciated the services of Rescue 1122.

The Emergency Services Academy observed the National Disaster Awareness Day to pay homage to all those who lost their lives, got injured and displaced due to devastating 2005 Earthquake in Pakistan. In this connection a ceremony of National Disaster Awareness Day was held at Governor House Punjab, Lahore to express solidarity with Earthquake victims and their families.

The Governor Punjab, Ch Sarwar, Commander Pakistan Rescue Team Dr Rizwan Naseer and others attended the ceremony. Speaking on the ceremony, Ch Sarwar expressed his sorrow and grief over the despondent demises of thousands of people who lost their lives and property in the Earthquake, 2005.

One minute silence was observed and offered a special prayer for people who lost their lives in Earthquake 2005 as well as national security and safety for the country. Ch Sarwar expressed that 8th Oct 2005 was a national disaster when we all observed helplessness as people were trapped under the collapsed structure, there was no system of

LAHORE

He said the credit of establishment of international level Emergency Service goes to Speaker Punjab Assembly Ch Pervaiz Elahi, Governor Punjab Ch Muhammad Sarwar, and Dr Rizwan Naseer. He quoted one example that his friend came from abroad and he told that Pakistan has a Rescue Service of international standards, he witnessed Rescue Services and also appreciated that this service is as per the international standard. He said that I don't believe that I am in Pakistan. He also called 1122 Emergency number for help in a snake emergency, within a few minutes rescue service reached my home and professionally caught the snake and shifted to the zoo. Mian Khalid Mehmood congratulated Pakistan Rescue Team for becoming the United Nations certified Team in South Asia. Earlier in the welcome address Pakistan Rescue Team Commander Dr Rizwan Naseer said that after witnessing the helplessness of the people in Pakistan during Earthquake 2005, we accepted this challenge like the Ambulance & Fire Service challenges and established the first Disaster Response Team in October 2006. Then to achieve International standard started efforts to build capacity of Rescue Team as per UN International Search & Rescue Advisory Group.