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Introduction to Emergency
Services Legislation
This legislation establishes Emergency
Service to deal with emergencies in an effective manner and
encounter threats to public from disasters, terrorism and
modern warfare and clearly defines their responsibilities at
each level. The National Emergency Response and Safety Council
has been established to regularly monitor the performance of
this service and ensure continuity in the process of rule
making in this vital field of management of emergencies/
disasters. Unlike in the past where this vital area was long
neglected under the municipalities and no law could be framed
in 55 years in this regard, the council shall constantly
upgrade, develop and maintain its code at acceptable standards
keeping in view the demand of modern times. It shall also be
responsible for safety planning based on the data feedback of
all the incidents occurring in that state and the country.
The provincial government shall have the administrative
powers and respecting the concept of devolution of power the
District Emergency Officer has been made fully responsible for
the functional management of the service. He shall ensure that
the Town/ Tehsil services are maintained at acceptable
standards through the Town/ Tehsil Emergency Officers.
The Federal government shall mainly be responsible for
ensuring uniform standards for the service throughout the
country, provide advanced training to Officers through the
National Academy and oversee the performance of provinces
through regular statistical feedback.
In short this ordinance defines the functioning,
coordination and responsibility of the Emergency Service and
regulatory mechanisms have also been introduced ensure and
maintain the uniform standards and quality of service
throughout the country.
History of Drafting of Emergency Services Legislation
The preliminary draft on Emergency Services Ordinance was made
in consultation with experts from all over Pakistan and abroad. The Law Department and National Reconstruction
Bureau were informally consulted before this exercise was
undertaken and related laws in other countries were reviewed.
The draft was sent to the provinces and also got published in
the Dawn Newspaper on 17th May 2002 for public opinion.
Representatives of the provinces were again called to discuss
the draft in Islamabad on 24th May, 2002. After receiving the
comments from the major provinces, and several suggestions
from personnel of fire departments, civil defence, private
sector and the public via personal contact, emails, telephone
and newspapers this final draft ordinance has been prepared.
The ordinance has also been discussed in detail with groups of
senior government officers like 77 & 78th National
Management Courses for grade 21 officers at
the Pakistan Administrative Staff College, Lahore and National
Institute of Public Administration.
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