Karachi: Karachi Metropolitan Corporation KMC Chief Officer Matanat Ali Khan handed over 400 uniforms and fire extinguishing equipment that had been donated by US city Houston to different fire stations in city.

On this occasion he said fire brigade held much importance and therefore all of its possible requirements were being taken care of.

Senior Director Municipal Services Dr. Shaukat Zaman, Director Machinery Pool Nauman Arshad, Chief Fire Officer Ehtishamuddin and other officers and staff of fire stations located in city’s industrial zones were also present on this occasion.

Matanat Ali Khan said population in Karachi had reached to almost 20million and therefore the city needs more fire stations with staff, fire tenders and other necessary equipment. KMC was planning three more fire stations to be set up in Korangi, Ibrahim Haidery and New Karachi whereas 6 new fire tenders will be handed over to fire brigade by 31 December.

He said the uniforms donated by Houston city were useable and these had been dry cleaned in a good manner. These outfits include inner and outer suit, helmet, shoes and other necessary gears.

In the first phase these uniforms and gears were being given to the firemen posted at fire stations in Korangi, Landhi, SITE, New Karachi and Gulistan-e-Mustafa Sohrab Goth.

Senior Director Municipal Services said a complete set of around 400 uniforms was in useable condition which will be distributed among all the fire stations of city. He said effective fire bylaws were being worked out which will soon be implemented. The disaster management needs to be given first preference owing to the ever increasing city population.

He said Houston and Karachi were declared as sister cities under an agreement which was aimed at promoting bilateral cooperation between these cities.