Badea Abu Al-Naja Saudi Gazette MAKKAH — Motorcycles specially equipped with firefighting equipment and high tech communications means will be used in Makkah and the holy places. These motorcycles will deal with incidents in crowded areas which regular firefighting vehicles cannot easily access. These motorcycles will also monitor safety requirements in pilgrims' camps, and are ideal for accessing mountainous areas. Col. Mohammad Al-Asmi, assistant head of the Civil Defense safety corner at Mina, stated that these motorcycles are assigned certain areas for monitoring. They will also monitor restaurants, cafeterias, and will inspect electrical wirings and emergency exists in pilgrims camps, tunnels, and bridges. He said that all motorcycle operators have participated in training courses and are fully qualified to monitor any safety violations. Col. Ahmad Al-Shahrani, supervisor at the safety corner, said that these motorcycles will be used in Arafat around the clock, according to a preset plan. Col. Saad Al-Beshri, supervisor at the safety corner, said that the motorcycles are equipped with the necessary communications means to relay instant information to the Civil Defense command and control center. The motorcycles will also monitor the safety of pilgrims as they descend from Arafat to Muzdalifah. In addition, they will assist in monitoring the tunnels, and they are equipped with firefighting equipment that carry 6 kilograms of firefighting material.
