The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is all lined up to get 21 cutting-edge fire and rescue vehicles from China under a grant agreement signed in 2019. This donation will substantially help in boosting Islamabad’s emergency response capabilities, particularly in fire management and rescue operations. The fleet comprises 19 fire trucks and 2 rescue vehicles, all equipped with advanced features to enhance the efficiency of the city’s emergency services.
China is providing 72.31 million RMB (roughly 10 million dollars) to fund the project, shouldering the expense of the vehicles and their shipping to Karachi port. While China will handle shipping expenses, Pakistan will be responsible for customs clearance and transporting the vehicles to Islamabad. This initiative marks a key milestone in modernizing the capital’s emergency infrastructure.
The new fleet includes specialized vehicles, for instance aerial platform trucks for accessing:
- High-rise buildings
- Water tankers
- Water tower trucks
- Equipment trucks.
These vehicles are likely to replace the CDA’s outdated fleet, which has not been undergone the phase of upgradation since 2006. The upgrade is especially timely given the city’s increasing number of high-rise buildings, which have posed challenges for the existing fire department. The current snorkels, limited to a reach of 68 meters, often fall short in emergencies involving taller structures.
China will also send technical experts to train local personnel on operating and maintaining the new equipment. This 15-day training program will ensure that Islamabad’s fire brigade is fully equipped to use the new fleet effectively.
The vehicles, expected to arrive in early 2025, represent a significant enhancement to the CDA’s emergency response capabilities. They will feature Chinese Foreign Aid logos, symbolizing China’s support for Pakistan’s emergency services. This upgrade follows several unsuccessful attempts to modernize the CDA’s fleet and is anticipated to greatly improve the city’s preparedness for emergencies in the years ahead.