Lahore (Pakistan News) A high-level delegation from Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations and Disaster Management visited the headquarters and academy of Punjab Emergency Services, where it held a special meeting with Dr Rizwan Naseer, Secretary of the Emergency Services Department. The meeting concluded with an agreement to enhance cooperation in emergency response, promote mutual collaboration and exchange professional experience.
According to a Rescue spokesperson, Dr Rizwan Naseer briefed the Russian delegation in detail on the comprehensive system, services and operational procedures of Punjab Emergency Service. Discussions also covered joint efforts to deal with natural disasters and other emergencies, training activities and ways to strengthen professional capabilities.
The Russian delegation was also briefed at the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre on the receipt of emergency calls and their transfer to relevant departments, rapid response to rescue operations, information management, human resources and the system for managing emergency vehicles.
Members of the delegation expressed keen interest in the operational arrangements, disaster response strategies and professional training system of Punjab Emergency Service. They emphasised that both countries could make cooperation in emergency services more effective by benefiting from each other’s experience and expertise.
The head of the Russian delegation and Director of International Cooperation, Melnik Dmitry Nikolayevich, said that the activities of Russian rescue workers in Pakistan during the devastating earthquake of 2005 were a prominent example of cooperation between the two countries. He added that mutual assistance during difficult times and professional solidarity played an important role in strengthening Pakistan-Russia relations.
He said cooperation between the two countries could be further improved through the exchange of training, skills and professional experience. This would help enhance emergency response capabilities and make rescue operations more effective.
At the conclusion of the visit, the head of the Russian delegation thanked Punjab Emergency Services officials for their warm hospitality and the productive exchange of views on professional matters.
According to the Rescue spokesperson, the Russian delegation included Director of International Cooperation Melnik Dmitry Nikolayevich, Deputy Director of Rescue Units Bulygin Ilya Nikolayevich, Deputy Director of Educational, Scientific and Technical Activities Dorotyuk Anton Alexandrovich, and Deputy Head of the National Centre for Disaster Management Karpyuk Dmitry.