Comprehensive Disaster Response Drill in Fes
On Monday, the vibrant neighborhood of Ziat in the Old Medina of Fes became the stage for a comprehensive field exercise aimed at simulating rescue and relief operations. This initiative was organized by the regional civil protection authority of the Fes-Meknes region, in collaboration with various institutional partners. The primary goal of this simulation was to enhance the speed and effectiveness of emergency interventions in the challenging, narrow alleys characteristic of the Old Medina. Moreover, it tested protocols for rescue and debris removal in scenarios involving collapses or major disasters, while also reinforcing operational coordination among the different stakeholders, including civil protection units, local authorities, health services, and security forces.
The exercise was predicated on a scenario that began with a fire erupting inside a handicraft workshop, followed by an explosion that led to a partial collapse of the building. This situation necessitated an urgent response to manage both the victims and hazardous materials concurrently. Colonel Abdel Aziz Mkhmakh, the regional commander of civil protection in Fes-Meknes, highlighted that the drill was designed to assess operational response capabilities and the speed of intervention in the event of disasters, particularly considering the unique geographical characteristics of the Old Medina, which include narrow pathways and the fragility of some structures.
Specialized teams from the civil protection authority were deployed for this exercise, which included rescue and excavation teams, units trained to handle hazardous materials, and canine units that played a vital role in search and rescue operations under the rubble. The event witnessed extensive participation from various stakeholders, including the Hassan II University Hospital, the regional health directorate, the Agency for the Development and Restoration of Fes, as well as local authorities, national security forces, auxiliary forces, and the royal gendarmerie.
In a similar vein, Khalid Sniter, the representative of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection in the province of Fes, emphasized that this exercise is part of the preparations related to the disaster relief plan at the provincial level. Its aim is to evaluate the quality of coordination among the various responders and the overall relief chain at all levels.
As reported by ar.yabiladi.com.
