Lahore: Emergency and Fire Safety Officers have been appointed in hospitals and institutions across Punjab, while all Vice Chancellors, Principals, Executive District Superintendents (EDS), Heads of Institutions (HOIs) and Medical Superintendents have been directed to immediately implement comprehensive fire and emergency safety measures.
The directions were issued with reference to a meeting held on Friday under the chairmanship of the Secretary, Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department, during which all institutions were instructed to nominate Emergency/Fire Safety Officers to ensure effective implementation and continuous monitoring of fire safety measures.
The department directed institutions to ensure strict and continuous adherence to fire safety protocols. Fire extinguishers, hydrants, smoke detectors and other firefighting equipment must be inspected regularly to ensure their operational readiness, timely servicing and proper record-keeping.
The institutions have also been directed to coordinate with the building and electrical departments for periodic assessment of electrical loads and immediately report any shortage, fault or risk of overloading to the Head of the Institution.
The department further directed that fire exits, emergency exits and assembly points remain accessible and free from obstruction at all times. Regular fire safety drills and staff training sessions are also to be conducted in collaboration with Rescue 1122.
All institutions have been instructed to maintain a fire safety compliance file/log containing records of inspections, drills, training sessions and corrective measures taken.
Any safety violation, equipment malfunction or fire-related accident must immediately be reported to the Head of the Institution. A verified monthly compliance report regarding the fire safety situation is also required to be submitted to the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department.
The nominated Emergency/Fire Safety Officers will be responsible for ensuring implementation of the directives, maintaining relevant records and providing the required details and monthly compliance reports to the department.
