LAHORE Over 400 out of 1,000 rescuers, from all the major districts of Punjab, have failed to pass the fire training despite the ongoing refresher course for the last two months as the policy makers of the Emergency Services Academy (ESA) have failed to devise an effective planning, insiders said. More than 800 fire rescuers from major districts of the Punjab, which include Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, DG Khan, RY Khan, Sargodha, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Murree and Sahiwal were called for refresher training at ESA in two batches two weeks ago but due to the mismanagement of the Administrator Dr Farhan Khalid, Adjutant Cap (r) Laal and Chief Drill Instructor (original designation driver), the training period of rescuers prolonged. According to some senior fire rescuers, they were not given any TA/DA for the training and were charged for living and mess which has consumed their whole salary and they were left with no money to fulfil the needs of their families. A veteran rescuer informed that the DG, administrator and the CDI have recently visited for a pleasure training trip to Philippines and all their expenses were reimbursed but for the training of these rescuers there is no right to TA/DA or reimbursement of their genuine expenditures. Informed sources told that the refresher training was just a repetition and wastage of time as there is nothing new in it and the purpose of the training is to show the land of LOS is occupied as other departments of provincial government are continuously requesting Dr Rizwan Naseer to evacuate the occupied place of Transport Department. The rescuers said that the training means to learn but here LOS is called the Land of Sorrow, where they came for punishment as in the ongoing course the Assistant Director Fire has totally been failed to impart any skill or training and has also shown no interest except victimising the trainees, therefore over 400 rescuers were failed in the training. Interestingly, over 400 fire rescuers were again called at the ESA Lahore for training, which may further enhance the burden on their already compromised financial position. According to the rescuers, they were left with no other option except to start part time or try other jobs. The rescuers demanded to the Punjab CM to intervene and at least assign some experienced commandant at the ESA for the future of these essential life saving institutions. An insider informed that the system was going well till the DG forcefully relieved the former administrator Noman Noor who was also the Head of Fire Wing. According to him, the fire rescuers of all the major districts have shown resistance and only 100 reported for retraining at ESA so far as the reporting date was ended last Friday. The Rescue 1122 spokesman, however, claimed that all the facilities were being provided to the rescuers as per rules and regulations of the provincial government. He said that the Rescue 1122 had a strong network of training, adding a few rescuers might have failed but the majority was satisfied. He, however, further said this scribe should visit the academy so that the 'issues might be settled and in detail discussion should be made. On the other hand, Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) DG Dr Rizwan Naseer told this scribe that TA/DA would be given after specific duration as per rules. He said residence had been provided for the trainees while a few among them had been living in private flats according to their own choice.