PM reviews state institutions’ winter preparations

AMMAN — Prime Minister Hani Mulki on Monday chaired a Higher Council of the Civil Defence Department (CDD) meeting to discuss state institutions’ preparations for winter. 

Mulki reviewed previous plans that were implemented to deal with accidents and abnormal weather conditions, highlighting the importance of coordinating efforts among all stakeholders to implement such plans accurately, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

He also called on ministries and public departments to prepare plans to deal with exceptional circumstances and to share them to have one comprehensive plan to be administered and implemented by the CDD.

The premier urged stakeholders to alert people who reside near valleys and rivers in advance to inform them about the potential dangers in their area during winter.

Mulki highlighted the need for emergency services and rescue teams to be present at areas that are prone to difficult weather conditions.

Interior Minister and President of the CDD Higher Council Ghaleb Zu’bi said that the council is tasked with taking all necessary measures to deal with emergency conditions and controlling them under the comprehensive national plan to deal with emergency conditions and disasters. 

The Kingdom is subject to hazards resulting from unusual weather conditions, such as floods and snow accumulation, which may jeopardise lives and public property, Zu’bi said, noting that the possibility of such hazards necessitate to intensify preparations to avoid potential damages. 

CDD Director Maj. Gen. Mustafa Bazaiah noted that the CDD is scheduled to receive several fire helicopters soon as a gift from His Majesty King Abdullah, the first of which is expected to arrive next month.

Bazaiah added that the capacity of each helicopter is of 15 tonnes of water that can be refilled in a short period of time, and stressed that they will be more effective than traditional fire engines in extinguishing forest fires.

Mulki toured the CDD headquarters and had a firsthand look at the command and field control bus, which transfers information and photos directly from the field to the control centre through a drone. 

Council members presented briefings on the preparations of their respective departments in dealing with possible difficult weather conditions, Petra reported.