Following the tragic incident at PIMS Hospital in Islamabad two days ago, a major development has taken place in the city’s fire and rescue system, with China gifting 21 modern fire and rescue vehicles to Islamabad.
Sources told Express News that Islamabad’s fire brigade vehicles are around 20 years old, with the last major purchase made in 2006. China has now gifted 21 modern fire and rescue vehicles to the capital.
According to sources, the value of the fire vehicles and equipment provided by China is 72.31 million Chinese yuan, equivalent to approximately Rs3 billion. Islamabad will also receive modern snorkel fire tenders for rescue operations in high-rise buildings.
Sources said the new fire vehicles will be capable of conducting rescue operations at heights of approximately 88 metres, while Islamabad’s existing fire tenders can reach only 68 metres. Increasing the reach from 68 to 88 metres will significantly enhance the city’s firefighting and rescue capabilities.
The new vehicles are expected to arrive in Pakistan in September.
It may be recalled that 14 newborns were killed in a fire at the nursery of PIMS, raising questions over the hospital’s fire and rescue system and increasing concerns about emergency response capabilities.
Sources said the importance of modern fire and rescue vehicles has become even more evident following the PIMS tragedy. The last major purchase by the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) Fire Department was made in 2006, and after two decades, preparations are now underway to modernize Islamabad’s fire and rescue system.
They said the modern fire vehicles will be provided to Islamabad under a 2024 Pakistan-China Memorandum of Understanding. With China’s assistance, Islamabad’s outdated fire and rescue system is moving towards modernization, while the new vehicles are expected to help make firefighting and rescue operations in high-rise buildings more effective.
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