Shanghai is planning to establish a professional earthquake
rescue team next year to improve its overall ability to deal with
natural disasters, officials of Shanghai Seismological Bureau said
on Tuesday.
Although Shanghai is not located in an earthquake-prone area,
the bureau said the team will also be deployed to rescue people
from collapsed buildings as well as other disasters and
accidents.
"Establishing a professional earthquake rescue team is necessary
for metropolises like Shanghai," Zhu Yuanqing, the bureau's vice
director, said on Tuesday.
Although it is unclear how many members the new team will
recruit, the bureau plans to divide it into four specific task
forces.
They include rescue strategy experts, rescue personnel, medical
specialists and a communication team sustaining contact between the
rescuers and the command center.
Specialists are also suggesting the city build special parks
where people can gather in case of emergencies.
(Shanghai Daily December 23, 2004)