KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 — With just days to go before the start of the Kuala Lumpur City Grand Prix 2015 (KLGP), organiser GT Global Race Malaysia Sdn Bhd and City Hall have finally come up with a contingency plan, in the event of an emergency, for stakeholders in and around the affected area.

The plan involves the deployment of ambulances and fire engines, which will be on standby within the 3.2km street circuit throughout the duration of the race.

Last week, during the first series of traffic briefings, stakeholders were shocked that the possibility of medical and fire emergencies happening during the race was not taken into consideration. They took the organiser to task, and in response, the organiser and City Hall have taken steps to address these concerns to avoid further embarrassment.

“A main committee meeting was convened earlier today that included representatives from the Federal Territory Health Department and the Fire and Rescue Department. It was decided during the meeting that ambulances and fire engines will be deployed and be on standby inside and outside the immediately affected area in the case of any emergency,” said GT Global president and chief executive officer M. Arrasu.

“If an emergency situation arises, then race control will immediately stop the race, and allow emergency response personnel and assets to deal with the situation before the race is resumed.

“We will also have close to 100 trained medical personnel around the street circuit to deal with any medical emergencies that may crop up. Safety has always been a main concern for us and all involved with the Grand Prix. We will do the best we can to ensure safety as we are focused on doing things right,” he added.

Health Ministry’s deputy director-general (medical) Datuk Dr S Jeyaindran lauded the organiser’s swift action, saying that they, too, would be ready and prepared once the race begins this Friday.

“Yes, our ministry’s officers did attend today’s meeting and we will treat any medical emergency that may happen during the race. If there is a medical emergency, we are told that the marshals will stop the race, bringing it to a standstill. Police outriders will then escort the closest ambulance available to the area where the emergency is to provide immediate medical attention and proceed to transport the patient, or patients, to the nearest hospital via one of the many exit points available,” he said.

Thai Pa’ Malaysia Sdn Bhd representative Radhakrishnan Woflman welcomed the move to initiate such a contingency plan.

“We are relieved that the organiser and city hall listened to our concerns and acted on them. I am glad that something proactive is being done in anticipation of any possible emergencies happening. It is our hope that the organiser and city hall manage things much earlier for future street races so that important issues that are cause for concern, such as this, can be resolved much earlier,” he said.