ISLAMABAD: Authorities have announced plans to deploy drones as part of modern firefighting technique to tackle fires at high-rise buildings in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, Pakistani state media reported this week.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) officials presided over by Islamabad Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa. It followed a devastating fire at a shopping mall in the port city of Karachi on Jan. 17, with 27 people confirmed dead so far and the identification of several bodies still underway.
Officials told the meeting that under the new plan, drones would be used to assist firefighting operations in high-rise buildings, particularly in situations where access for rescue teams is difficult, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency reported.
“The initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize the capital’s emergency response system,” APP reported, citing CDA officials.
“Randhawa directed that all high-rise buildings in Islamabad be surveyed and categorized and stressed that functional fire safety systems and emergency exits must be ensured in every such building.”
CDA has made the approval of a fire safety plan mandatory before the construction of any new building, with fire certification required in line with Pakistan Engineering Council codes, according to the report.
The Islamabad chief commissioner directed the development of a mechanism to ensure old and sensitive buildings complied with fire safety regulations.
“The CDA chairman also instructed Capital Emergency Services, in coordination with the district administration, to hold regular emergency simulation exercises in high-rise buildings,” the report read.
