Inter-district Rescue Teams Competition Begins At Emergency Services Academy

Muhammad Irfan Published October 16, 2025 | 07:10 PM

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Oct, 2025) The three-day Punjab Inter-District Rescue Teams Competition began on Thursday at the Emergency Services academy, Lahore, marking the 21st anniversary of Rescue 1122.

Secretary Emergency Services Department, Dr. Rizwan Naseer, inaugurated the event by cutting a cake to mark the service’s founding anniversary.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Dr. Rizwan welcomed the participating rescue teams from all districts of Punjab and formally announced the beginning of the competition. He said the event aims to enhance professional emergency response skills and ensure timely action during disasters and emergencies.

He noted that Rescue 1122, once considered an impossible dream, has now become a vital emergency service that has assisted over 18.7 million people across the province. “Today, Punjab Emergency Services has the distinction of being the first United Nations INSARAG-certified rescue team in South Asia,” he said.

Since its inception in 2004, Rescue 1122 has also responded to more than 274,000 fire incidents, preventing estimated losses of over Rs. 750 billion. The service’s motorcycle rescue unit has managed over 3.8 million emergencies with an average response time of four minutes, particularly in congested urban areas, added the secretary.

Dr. Rizwan Naseer emphasised the importance of continuous professional training, adding that such competitions offer practical exercises that help rescuers improve their operational readiness.

The competition includes events such as trauma management, fire fitness, high-altitude and cable car rescue, water rescue and deep well rescue. District teams are participating under the supervision of their respective district emergency officers, he added.

Senior officials from Rescue Headquarters, divisional and district officers, and rescue teams from across Punjab attended the inaugural ceremony.