21 - 27 March 2002
Issue No.578
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Al-Ahram Weekly Online 21 - 27 March 2002 Issue No.578 |
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 | Current issue | Previous issue | Site map | ||
Public safety
Press coverage of train disasters and building collapses has justifiably focused on the state's responsibility for public safety. By ensuring the existence of preventative safety measures and establishing rescue services, the state would do much to minimise losses in the event of a crisis.
Sufficient state funding should be made available to ensure that safe public services are offered at a reasonable cost. One project in this regard could be increasing the number of third-class trains. Merely equipping trains with safety features and improving rescue services is insufficient to prevent disasters because overcrowding train cars makes recourse to safety equipment and plans virtually impossible.
There is, however, a need for the state to play a much more fundamental role in preparing society to support public safety. The development of rescue services is currently hampered by the widely-held view that this task is the purview of one authority or another. Consequently, upgrading the performance of one authority or another will not solve these problems.
The only way to overcome the immense shortfall in safety facilities is through the participation of society. Towards this end, the state should ensure that safety inspections are regularly conducted and should launch campaigns to raise the public's safety awareness.
Widespread public support for safety measures that is backed up by the availability of safety equipment is required if we are ever to mount successful rescue operations.
*This week's soapbox speaker is a journalist at Al-Ahali newspaper.
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