The Capital Emergency Service (CES) responded to 1,475 emergency calls across Islamabad during September, as the capital’s emergency response infrastructure is set to receive a boost with the arrival of 21 new rescue and firefighting vehicles from China. According to the monthly consolidated emergency/event cover report for September 2026, CES responded to 1,152 Emergency Medical Service (EMS) calls, including 544 medical emergencies, 433 road traffic crashes, 120 miscellaneous cases, 46 fall/slip incidents, six crime-related cases and three drowning incidents.

The service also responded to 82 fire emergencies during the month. These included 29 electrical fires, 10 house fires, six vehicle fires, two LPG/gas or liquid-related blast/fire incidents, 17 building or commercial-area fires, seven green-area fires and 11 garbage fires. In addition, CES teams carried out 123 rescue operations, including 44 dewatering calls, one collapsed-structure incident, 11 mountain, well or trap rescues, 65 animal rescue operations and two fallen-tree incidents. The report recorded 1,013 victims associated with the reported emergencies, including 979 injured or illness cases and 34 fatalities.

Of these, 148 cases received first aid on the spot while 865 were shifted for further treatment. Against the backdrop of the emergency workload, 21 new rescue and firefighting vehicles for Islamabad Rescue 1122 and the Fire Brigade have arrived at Karachi Port from China. The vehicles are expected to reach Islamabad within five days and will be deployed at six stations across the capital. The new fleet comprises four aerial fire trucks, six fire towers and five fire tenders, along with specialised rescue and firefighting equipment.

According to a briefing, the vehicles can conduct operations at heights of up to 256 feet, enhancing the capacity to respond to emergencies involving high-rise buildings and other difficult-to-access locations. The fleet’s arrival follows a visit by Minister for Interior Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi to Karachi Port on September 29, where he inspected the newly arrived vehicles. CDA Chairman Sohail Ashraf was also present. The Interior Minister termed the arrival of the vehicles a welcome development and said the addition represented the biggest expansion of the Islamabad Rescue fleet since 2009.

He also expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for expediting the supply of the vehicles. The new vehicles are expected to supplement existing CES and Fire Brigade resources and strengthen the capital’s capacity to respond to fire incidents, road crashes, high-rise emergencies and other rescue situations. The CDA said the fleet would further strengthen emergency preparedness and response capacity and provide additional support to citizens across Islamabad.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)