Emergency Authority to be created

Abu Dhabi: A new authority will be created to handle large-scale national emergencies, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced.

"The coming days will witness the establishment of a National Emergency Authority that will lay down a comprehensive plan to clearly and legally specify the operations, tools, and responsibilities that secure a proper efficient and coordinated response to all potential national emergencies and threats."

Evacuation plans and procedures in any emergency caused by the threat of fire, hazardous materials or violence will be worked out and public and private shelters will be set up, he said.

The authority will be responsible for medical and social care will be provided for the injured and necessary equipment procured for civil defence. Awareness programmes will be conducted to educate the population about their duties when and if disasters strikes.

The civil defence would be responsible for monitoring radioactive, chemical and biological emissions during war or peace time and taking counteraction in cooperation with the armed forces.