Some 276 Civil Defense officers on motorcycles will take on the role of preventive supervision forces and follow up on safety requirements in the pilgrim camps.

Commander of the Civil Defense forces in Mina Maj. Gen. Ali bin Atallah Al-Otaibi stressed the readiness of more than 3,000 Civil Defense forces, deployed in five areas covering Mina, to maintain the safety and security of pilgrims performing Haj this year.

Al-Otaibi said that 49 Civil Defense units will be stationed in different locations and are equipped with fire, rescue and ambulance services.

Al-Otaibi said that all Civil Defense units in Mina received intense on-site field training to perform their duties in the best possible manner, and take proactive measures to deal with all accidents with the help of latest equipment.

The Civil Defense commander noted that there is complete coordination between government bodies to implement Civil Defense mechanisms to protect the safety of pilgrims during Al-Tarwyeh and Tashreeq and at all railway stations.

Col. Khaled Al-Odeh, head of preventive supervision and safety in Mina, said that safety measures are being exercised in all locations pilgrims attend. He stressed that a ban will be enforced on the use of liquefied cooking gas before the arrival of pilgrims to Mina. He said that the plan includes following up on Haj institutions preparation of pilgrims’ camps, as well as monitoring the site during the presence of pilgrims in Mina.

He explained that 276 motorcycles will take on the role of preventive supervision forces and follow up on safety requirements in the pilgrims’ camps and the headquarters of government agencies.

Al-Odeh said that the participation of motorcycles will be twofold. The first is the proactive follow up in safety issues like the existence of fire extinguishers, electric wires and emergency exits. The second would be for mobility in crowded areas to follow up on emergencies on the spot.

The Civil Protection Department in Mina said that rapid response teams are ready to deal with accidents related to dangerous substances, adding that there is a specialized chemical substance team from the Defense Ministry, dive teams, in addition to other plans by Civil Defense to deal with emergencies.