TAXILA: Punjab Emergency Service Rescue 1122 conducted a mock flood exercise in Indus River near Shadi Khan in Hazro town of Attock.

The event was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Waqas Aslam Marth and Assistant Commissioner Hazro Ayesha Badar along with representatives from the Health Department, Civil Defence, Livestock Department, Forest Department, Municipal Committee Hazro and volunteers from various NGOs.

The drill simulated real-life rescue operations during a flood scenario and featured practical demonstrations by Rescue 1122 teams using modern equipment for flood evacuation, firefighting and rapid response mobility practicing CPR, bandaging and emergency care to ensure swift response during potential disasters.

The exercise aimed at testing operational readiness, machinery efficiency and coordination among departments. The rescue personnel also demonstrated shifting of flood-affected people to safe places.

Stalls were set up at the incident command post. Teams performed exercises like provision of medical first aid, scuba diving, line search, swimming, diving, rescuing a drowning person and catching of snakes.They also demonstrated the safe relocation of livestock and personal belongings to higher ground. Stalls were also established by civil defense, the health department, the livestock department and local welfare organizations.

District Emergency Officer Ali Hussain briefed the attendees on the equipment used in rescue and relief operations including flood mock-ups, aimed at testing the efficiency, practical training.

The additional DC, who was chief guest, inspected camps set up by various departments and expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness displayed by Rescue 1122. He said: `Natural disasterscan strike unexpectedly-ourdutyis to stay alert and responsive at all times, he remarked.

Mr Marth said the purpose of such exercises was to prepare all institutions ahead of time to accurately assess their capabilities and improve any shortcomings. He added that exercises aimed to test equipment and assess the performance of rescue teams in addition to improving liaison with relevant departments in case of a possible flood.

The assistant commissioner said such exercises are crucial for evaluating the operational readiness of both equipment and inter-departmental coordination duringflood situations. -Correspondent