The General Directorates of Civil Defense nationwide began its "stop crowding" campaign which will address the risks of the public crowding around accident and fire sites.
The drive is part of a major awareness plan prepared by the General Command of Civil Defense for 2017. It is also in line with the ministry of interior's strategy geared towards spreading culture of general safety awareness among members of the community.
As part of the campaign, awareness brochures and publications have been prepared in Arabic, English and Urdu to reach the widest community segment, pointed out Commander General of Civil Defense at the ministry of interior Major General Jassim Mohammed Al Marzouqui.
The civil defense strategic objectives could only be achieved by an effective community partnership, he affirmed, indicating that the role of the general public is to avoid crowding around accident sites which he described as "uncivilized behavior". Crowding prevents civil defense and ambulance teams from carrying out their duties, and would eventually increase the likelihood of more deaths and injuries and may jeopardize the lives of the members of the public crowding near the accident as well, he added.
He indicated that the civil defense teams work according to a well-prepared plans and scenarios to deal with fires. They received training on how to set up cordons, giving paramount priority to prevention. As soon they arrive to an incident scene, they would start preventive evacuation, contain fire and stop it spreading, and deliver first aids.
Commander-General of Civil Defense urged the public to interact with the campaign by not crowding around accidents and taking photos by their mobiles and posting them on social media. By this they would maintain their safety and safety of others, and would avoid legal liability.