“The forces have been supplied with some 4,000 highly advanced equipment and devices to perform their duties in the best possible manner as well as to deal with any emergency situations,” he said.
Speaking to Arab News, Al-Tuwaijri said the Civil Defense would be engaged in carrying out Haj duties while stationed at some 981 centers spread over various regions of Makkah and the holy sites. “These include 196 fire stations, 128 rescue centers, 463 safety centers and 42 ambulance stations, in addition to 152 water rescue centers. There will also be some specialized units and four aviation bases from where 15 helicopters will carry out various missions such as dealing with emergency and rescue operations, air ambulance services and air surveillance,” he said.
Highlighting the salient features of the Civil Defense’s Haj operation plan for this year, Al-Tuwaijri said the forces are geared up to tackle with any emergency situations, especially in the event of heavy rains and flash floods.
“Our Haj plan has identified some dangerous locations if it rains in Makkah and the holy sites. These include areas where water pools can form, low-lying areas and flood passages. The plan gives clear directions to our members about the safest way to evacuate and give shelter to affected pilgrims, in addition to making the way for the members of the water rescue units to reach flood-hit areas and engage in rescue operations,” he said.
Al-Tuwaijri said the Civil Defense has prepared temporary and permanent shelters for pilgrims.
“Temporary shelters include one each in Al-Moisem in Mina and in Arafat. They each have a capacity to house 10,000 pilgrims. The second shelter in Arafat can accommodate 8,000 pilgrims while the shelter in Muzdalifah has the capacity to accommodate more than 30,000 pilgrims. Another 75,000 pilgrims can be accommodated in permanent shelters earmarked for this purpose, and they include the Umm Al-Qura University campus, schools and wedding halls in the holy city,” he said.
According to the Civil Defense chief, there is a wide network of water to extinguish fires in the holy sites. They include 1,300 networks in Mina, 1,200 in Arafat and 500 in Muzdalifah. “About 4,000 highly advanced and sophisticated equipment and devices have also been readied to carry out the Directorate’s Haj plan. These will be reinforced with 15 helicopters, stationed at four bases in Makkah, the holy sites, Madinah and Al-Laith,” he said, adding that the safety units under the Civil Defense will be deployed to ensure pilgrims’ safety before their arrival at the holy sites.
Referring to the safety of pilgrims who will use the Mashair train service for the first time this year, Al-Tuwaijri said the Civil Defense has made 12 units available to ensure pilgrims’ safety at each railway station in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah.
“We have also conducted training courses for the unit members to tackle with any emergency situations at the Mashair Railway,” he said, adding that the Civil Defense forces will implement the Haj plan, in coordination with the Tawafa organizations, and other concerned agencies and departments.
