Premier briefed on winter preparedness

AMMAN — Prime Minister Omar Razzaz on Sunday stressed the need for enhancing coordination to increase winter preparedness.

Chairing a meeting of the Higher Council of Civil Defence (HCCD) at the Interior Ministry, the premier was acquainted with precautionary measures under way to mitigate the impact of harsh weather during winter.

To improve performance, Razzaz said that gaps that occurred in the past should be addressed, expressing pride in the government, agencies working in the field, mainly the administrative governors, for keeping a close eye on the issue and coordinating with the Civil Defense Department (CDD).

He also highlighted addressing winter emergencies by having the public, civil society institutions and youth volunteers coordinate with representatives of related institutions, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Razzaz noted that emergencies would be managed through the National Centre for Security and Crisis Management, calling for assessing the readiness of the alarm systems in the Dead Sea and Aqaba regions, while focusing on the need for coordination with the meteorology department.

He also pointed out that the infrastructure projects in progress could be a risk factor, calling on the ministries of local administration and public works to identify the potential risks relevant to tourists visiting the country.   

Interior Minister Salameh Hammad, who also chairs the HCCD, briefed the gathering on preparedness and the emergency plan, as well as the council's cooperation mechanisms with all concerned agencies.

As part of its preventative role, the HCCD focuses on establishing the concept of early warning for all government institutions, Hammad said.   

CDD Director Maj. Gen. Mustafa Bazayah, who also attended the meeting, highlighted efforts made to develop the Dead Sea Water and Mountain Rescue Centre, which was established recently under Royal directives.