Saudi Gazette report DAMMAM – The Directorate General of Civil Defense in the Eastern Province has raised the level of readiness of firefighter and rescue teams to confront fire and other accidents during the Eid Al-Fitr holidays. The preparations include inspection tours of markets, malls, complexes and the Central Area by safety patrols to make sure that there are no violations of safety standards and to warn people about the dangers of fireworks, Al-Yaum Arabic daily reported. The Eastern Province Civil Defense spokesman Col. Ali Saad Al-Qahtani said the Civil Defense stations in the cities and governorates of the province have raised their alert level during the holidays. “The Eid Al-Fitr plan is an extension of the Ramadan plan and includes widespread deployment of the speedy intervention units, firefighting and rescue teams and ensuring ambulance units have all the equipment and machinery ready near markets, commercial facilities, recreation parks, celebration locations and Eid prayer grounds, all of which witness large crowds. The aim is to ensure the safety of lives and property and in order to confront all probable hazards during Eid Al-Fitr night until the last day of the holidays,” he was quoted as saying. Col. Al-Qahtani said there is coordination between security agencies and local municipalities to intensify inspection tours and seize any fireworks that are being sold in toy shops and by hawkers at Eid celebration sites. Punitive measures according to the regulations are taken against all who are caught selling or storing fireworks. He appealed to guardians to be cautious in recreation parks and beaches and follow safety regulations.
