By Ross Jackson
HE the Minister of State for Interior Affairs, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, inaugurated yesterday the new building of Ghaim al-Qadeem Civil Defence Station. The new station is located at the intersection of B-Ring Road and Airport Road, opposite the Capital Security Department.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Director of the General Directorate of Civil Defence (GDCD) Staff Brigadier Abdullah Mohamed al-Suwaidi, chairman of Central Municipal Council (CMC) Saud Abdullah al-Khanzab, CMC member Tariq al-Maliki and a number of Ministry of Interior (MoI) department directors.
After the ribbon cutting, the minister and other guests took a tour of the new facilities, which include an operations room, a room for breathing apparatus, several office rooms for officers, car parking, a multi-purpose workshop and pumping room, as well as accommodation facility for 200 persons and a gymnasium.
The station also has lecture rooms, a lounge, prayer room, warehouses, emergency rest rooms as well as laundry, kitchen and canteen facilities. The facility will be fully operational by next week.
In a discussion with the media, the GDCD Director Staff Brigadier Abdullah Mohamed al-Suwaidi commended the efforts of the mass media in supporting the civil defence. He also stressed the keenness of the ministry in modernising its premises and building new centres for security and services purposes and equipping it with latest technologies to keep pace with the rapid urban growth the country is witnessing. The Civil Defence Headquarters is being upgraded and will be complete in the next four months. The ministry is also keen on qualifying and training its human resources, he said pointing out that the opening of the new building comes in this context. It is part of the broader plan to enhance the performance of the civil defence in all fields.
Brigadier al-Suwaidi said: “More than fire fighting, an office for prevention department which is concerned with commercial permits for buildings, has been allocated. It will help the decentralisation policy of the ministry in delivering its services.”
“The station will also contribute largely in awareness and prevention as the strategy of the GDCD requires all civil defence stations scattered in the different parts of the country to be part of the awareness efforts rather than assigning it on the media and awareness section of the Prevention Department. The centres are trying to raise awareness among different segments of the society through well-learned awareness programmes and by taking part in community activities in co-operation with educational institutions, youth centres, sports clubs and other community organisations,” added Brigadier al-Suwaidi.
He further stressed the importance of raising awareness among community members, as in summer many fire breakouts are reported in residence units for several reasons, including improper use of electrical devices.
“The Ghanim al-Qadeem Civil Defence Station is one of the main stations as it is equipped with all required facilities and it is located at a vital area in the heart of the city where many financial institutions, banks and companies are found in addition to big number of people dwelling in the area,” explained the GDCD director.
He also clarified that the new station will reduce the burden of Wadil al-Sail Civil Defence Centre and will support other stations.
The chairman of the CMC, Saud Abullah al-Khanzab, praised the opening of the new building as it serves a densely populated area, adding that the Ministry of Interior is always trying to develop its infrastructure and modernise its services.
