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Saudi Civil Defense gears up for hajj

JEDDAH, Aug 16 (KUNA) -- The Saudi Civil Defense General Directorate expressed on Wednesday its readiness to guarantee the safety of pilgrims and deal with any emergency during hajj (pilgrimage) season.
In a press conference, senior officials stated that the directorate has detailed plans for emergencies in during this hajj season in collaboration with more than 32 government agencies and consultants.
They pointed to the recruitment of more than 17,000 civil defense personnel supported by more than 3,000 patrol units, with sophisticated equipment to secure the highest level of safety to confront any risks or dangers to guests.
The officials stated that all officers and individuals participating in the hajj underwent a high-standard training according to the changes and developments that were monitored after the introduction of some techniques in digital maps to holy sites.
For more than a season, smart applications have been used to easily locate and access accident sites, they added.
Civil Defense Forces Major General Hamad Al-Mubadal said his area of operation has completed preparations for the deployment of forces participating in the implementation of the emergency plan for hajj, which includes 17,000 personnel and more than 3,000 patrol vehicles to deal with all kinds of risks. (end) nh.mb