Source: Western Cape Provincial Government
Title: C Dowry: Disaster management plan in place for Pick 'n Pay Argus Cycle Tour
STATEMENT BY COBUS DOWRY, MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND RESPONSIBLE FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN THE WESTERN CAPE, ON THE PICK AND PAY ARGUS CYCLE TOUR - DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN PLACE, 12 March 2003
On behalf of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape I want to welcome the approximately 35 000 cyclists who will participate in the Cape Argus/Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour to Cape Town. Many of the cyclists are from other provinces and even from other countries.
As Disaster Management in the Western Cape is managed and co-ordinated by the Department of Local Government, I am satisfied that all the necessary disaster management planning and co-ordination are in place. With the mass event disaster management plan in place, all the role-players in the Pick 'n Pay Argus Cycle Tour, including the Provincial Government of the Western Cape, which has a direct duty and responsibility to the well being of participants and spectators, have done everything possible to ensure an incident free and safe journey for cyclists and spectators alike.
Once again the new Disaster Management Information Managing System, the information technology (IT) platform that was launched last year, will be utilised for this event. During last year's Cycle Tour the IT platform was considered to be a test run and it proved to be extremely valuable.
The new IT system makes it possible for the monitoring of ambulances and rescue helicopters. A tracking device on these vehicles using satellite Global Positioning System (GPS) relay information to a cellular network and a SMS position using latitude and longitude is sent every 15 seconds into our IT platform indicating the position of such an emergency vehicle. With this unique system, sponsored by the Department of Local Government, Disaster Management in the Western Cape is up to date with the latest technology and cyclists and spectators can be assured that medical assistance will be available in the shortest possible time.
Cyclists can be assured that proper planning is in place for every sector of the 108 km cycle tour and that qualified personnel and well-trained staff will monitor the event from the Venue Operations Centre at Greenpoint, the Cape Metropolitan Council Joint Operations Centre where the Provincial Disaster Management team will also be deployed.
Enquiries: Jan Bosman
Cell: 083 7755 312
Issued by: Department of Local Government, Western Cape Provincial Government
12 March 2004
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