An emergency response system is soon to be established in Beijing, drawing on
the lessons learnt from the SARS crisis.
The Beijing municipal government is working towards the new network to
co-ordinate its response to emergencies with those of grassroots authorities.
It released a draft report on the system on its website over the weekend for
public comment.
The emergency response system, headed by Acting Mayor Wang Qishan, is
expected to involve 17 local commissions, offices and bureaux.
Quick response to emergent public health incidents, counter terrorism, fire
control, traffic safety and disaster relief will be given priority during
research into the system, according to sources.
"Beijing's current system for responding to emergencies needs to be upgraded
because it does not meet the needs of the capital city now," the report said.
In a separate development, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Justice will
introduce special measures to prevent the spread of disease in the wake of the
SARS outbreak among examinees in the city during the National Judicial
Qualification Examination, held October 11-12.
The exam serves as a test of public procurators, judges and lawyers.
To avoid cross-infection, candidates will be required to use their own pens
when registering at the sites, according to Liu Wei, an official with the
bureau.
Examinees with a temperature above 37.5 C will be banned from the test
sites.
