Real heroes are those who prioritize other’s lives and put their own at risk in the process. Firefighting is one such profession that requires a heart of steel. It is impossible to unsee the images of horror during disasters and at times, even many brave men lose heart. Shazia Parveen and Deeba Shahnaz Akhtar are extraordinary women who are serving in the rescue services of Pakistan for over a decade now.
Let’s takeout a moment from our busy schedules to pay tribute to our shining stars
Shazia Parveen
Shazia Parveen is the first female firefighter of Pakistan. She joined Emergency Services as the first woman fire rescuer in Rescue Services in 2010. She lives in a small village in South Punjab, Vehari. The small-town girl has made the whole nation proud as she is not only the first-ever firefighter of Pakistan but most probably in Asia too.
My father was an army personal. When I joined rescue services, I honestly didn’t know how hard this job would be. But my father encouraged me to continue the job. He wanted his daughters to serve Pakistan like him.”
Shazia has a Master’s in Psychology as well and she is committed to proving that women can work alongside men regardless of how challenging the job is. During her 10 years long career, she responded to different fire emergency duties and operations in district Vehari.
Shazia explains her job as a game of time.
Our maximum range is 7 minutes. We are always ready and in our fire truck so whenever there is an emergency we move quickly.
Although she is the first firefighter, there are many brave girls working in rescue 1122 both as technicians and on the field. According to Shazia, from driver to officer, each member of the institution has to undergo the training of fire, safety, and medical wing. They are also given physical training, fitness, and parade sessions.
After her promotion as First Lead Fire Rescuer, Shazia was assigned duties to impart training to different badges of emergency professionals. Currently, she is serving in Emergency Services Academy as Fire Instructor and leaving no stone unturned in the service of her nation.
Deeba Shahnaz
Another firefighter hero of ours, Deeba Shahnaz Akhter, is the first female Rescue member certified from UN- INSARAG in entire South Asia. She represented rescue females in 90 members’ internationally classified Search and Rescue Team which is the pride of Pakistan and first in South Asia.
Shahnaz has lead Pakistan’s rescue team certified by the UN and declared fit to carry rescue operations anywhere in the world. She congratulated the whole of Pakistan for the selection of Pakistan’s rescue team among the best teams in the world.
I just played my part and represented the women of Pakistan. The days of helplessness we faced in the 2005 Earthquake are over as we have our own search AMD rescue teams of international standards.
After achieving this milestone, she can participate in Rescue missions anywhere in the world and can assist in training to other teams internationally. She was selected for this team due to her extraordinary performance and excellent command in field operations. According to Shahnaz, the Pakistan team was prepared and offered services during the recent earthquake in Turkey and the explosion crisis in Beirut.
Shahnaz has an M.Phil degree in Social Sciences. She joined Emergency Service in 2006 and performed countless operations. She has conducted major rescue operations like Ghakkar Plaza Fire and Building Collapsed Incident, Prade Lane & Shalimar Parking Bomb Blast incidents, Margalla & Bhoja air crashes, several road traffic crashes, and fire incidents.
I remember when I went to the site of a bomb blast for the first time, I was shaking although I was trained very well. But once we started the rescue, a sense of duty overcame my emotions and all my attention was shifted on the operation.
Her daring services to save lives in Parade Lane Bomb blast Operation in cross-firing was acknowledged by GHQ Rawalpindi. International Organizations like ICRC and VSO Pakistan acknowledged her services. Governor Punjab appreciated her for the Establishment of over 5000 volunteer teams in all UCs of Punjab and raising awareness amongst thousands of volunteers for saving lives and promoting safety.
Shahnaz was also one of the frontline Rescuers during COVID-19. In Ghakkar Plaza incident she lost 13 fellow firefighters and spent 4 days recovering the bodies from debris. Shahnaz has come a long way and today she is among the elite classified teams of search and rescue. Currently, she is working as Head, Community Safety & information in Emergency Services Headquarters Lahore.
Recently, both Shazia and Shahnaz were selected for the top 100 Galaxy of Pride of Pakistan by ISPR. They are a depiction of how courageous and empowered women can be and indeed The Pride of Pakistan.
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