Beijing team to handle emergencies, public security breaches

BEIJING - A humanitarian rescue team to deal with emergencies and breaches of public security was set up in Beijing on Wednesday.

Under the agreement signed by the Red Cross Society of China Beijing Branch and the capital's public security bureau on Wednesday, a team of 50 staff will be established, with its size increasing to 300 members of staff in three years.

It will be equipped with two helicopters for medical emergencies.

The Beijing Red Cross has also set up 160 first aid stations across the city to serve the daily needs of the public, and coordinate responses to emergencies and collect information on emergencies.

It has also put into use 20 medical vehicles with first aid and other equipment such as gas masks, protection suits, defense shields and fire extinguishers.

All of them have been refitted to meet the needs of various emergencies and disasters including those involving gas, chemicals and explosions.

The Red Cross and the public security bureau will safeguard stability and offer daily medical assistance in case of emergencies, said Ma Runhai, vice chairman of the Beijing Red Cross.

The establishment of the team follows a number of terrorist attacks across China that have brought the country to a state of high alert.