MAKKAH, 4 October 2007 — The General Directorate of Civil Defense in the Grand Mosque reported yesterday that so far Ramadan 2007 has gone off without any serious incident in the sprawling mosque complex.
“The Civil Defense, which is totally geared up to grapple with any eventuality at the mosque premises, is battle ready to swing into action the moment any emergency situation arises,” Director of Civil Defense in Makkah Col. Jameel Arbaeen told Arab News yesterday.
“The directorate is prepared to face any possible threat to the safety of the worshippers and pilgrims in the Grand Mosque such as fire, stampede resulting from heavy crowding, power outage or flash floods following heavy rains,” Arbaeen said. “It has the potential to counter any other situation that calls for the emergency interference of rescue workers,” he added.
Arbaeen said there are 250 firefighters and rescue workers inside the mosque and 1,411 workers at the central zone distributed in 58 fire units and 29 rescue units. There are 910 people working in the safety units in the Central zone, apart from the 100 observers posted in units stationed at regions such as Al-Shobaika, Marwah, King’s Gate, Ajyad Tunnel and Souk Al-Saghir Tunnel.
The official explained that the directorate is equipped with four trucks fitted with ladders, rescue baskets and water cannons.
Another five trucks are equipped with ladders that could rescue victims trapped at the top of buildings up to 30 floors. There are 69 fire extinguishing trucks, 73 rescue vans and 52 ambulances. Specially trained personnel are handling the medical emergencies.
They have 35 vans fitted with oxygen and 281 motorcycles fitted with fire extinguishers for rapid intervention and 410 stretchers to carry the victims in accidents. The directorate also participates in implementing safety precautions around the central zone.
Arbaeen added that the Grand Mosque and the surrounding areas are divided into nine zones in order to facilitate prompt safety operations.
The zones are the King Abdul Aziz Gate, Safa, Al-Salam Gate, Marwah, Fatah Gate, Bab Umrah, King Fahd Gate, Mataf area, Second floor of the Mas’a (the track between Safa and Marwah). He added, however, that the courtyards would get additional attention at peak times such as Fridays and evening prayers in Ramadan.”
