Safety plans in place ahead of CPC Congress

Government departments in different fields have started to strengthen their work to serve the upcoming 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) which will open on November 8.

The Beijing Red Cross Society will increase the numbers of paramedics and ambulances in more than 10 major areas in the city, including the Tiananmen and Bird's Nest areas during the Congress, the Beijing Times reported Thursday.

Li Libing, head of Beijing Red Cross Emergency Rescue Center, said that a 24-hour shift system will be implemented for the 600 paramedics at 130 first aid spots established in the city, along with sending the emergency boxes to first aid spots at the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube.

"There are escape ropes, compasses, flashlights, medicine and bandages in the emergency box. If someone gets injured, the paramedics in the spot can provide help," a staff member with the publicity department of Beijing Red Cross,  surnamed Li, said Thursday.

He added that the increase in human and material resources in first aid spots is because the Congress is a big event for both the country and the CPC.

"We should have a much stronger sense of responsibility to serve the people during this event," he said.

The fire department has also stepped up fire security checks.

"These will focus on the areas around the Congress venue and other crowed places like cinemas and theaters," said Zhang Yu, media officer with the Beijing fire department.