LAHORE:A high-level delegation of Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry (EMERCOM) visited Rescue 1122 headquarters and its academy in Lahore on Wednesday to explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation, joint training and professional exchange in emergency management and rescue operations.
The delegation, led by Director of International Cooperation Dmitry Nikolayevich Melnik, was briefed by the Emergency Services Department Secretary Dr Rizwan Naseer on Punjab’s integrated emergency response system, disaster management capabilities and specialised training facilities.
During the visit, the Russian delegation toured the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre, where it was briefed on emergency call dispatch, response operations, operational coordination and the timely deployment of emergency resources.
The delegation also visited the Emergency Monitoring and Research Centre, where it was briefed on research and development, accident analysis and rescue-related studies. At the Emergency Services Academy, the visitors observed specialised training activities, practical demonstrations and simulators used to prepare rescuers for different emergency situations.
Dr Rizwan said Rescue 1122, which began as an ambulance service in Lahore, had evolved into an integrated emergency response system operating across Punjab. He said the service had provided assistance to more than 21.3 million emergency victims across the province.
He also briefed the delegation on the academy’s role in providing specialised training to emergency professionals from across Pakistan and the United Nations INSARAG certification of the Pakistan Rescue Team.
Dmitry Nikolayevich Melnik highlighted the longstanding friendly relations between Pakistan and Russia, recalling the participation of Russian rescuers in relief operations following Pakistan’s devastating 2005 earthquake.
The delegation expressed interest in expanding cooperation with Rescue 1122 through continued engagement, joint training and the exchange of professional expertise. It also highlighted opportunities for collaboration in specialised rescue operations, firefighting equipment, emergency response vehicles, chemical emergency management and professional safety gear.