Dominican Republic prepares for holiday exodus

Santo Domingo.- DominicanRepublic’s first responder agencies (COE) on Thursday unveiled the annual ChristmasOperation Plan to reduce traffic accidents and other threats to public safety duringthe holidays, starting Dec. 23, with 33,125 military, paramedics, police and search and rescue specialists deployedacross the country.

With this year’s slogan "For Dominican culture,values and safety 2013-2014,” COE director Juan Manuel Mendez said the operationincludes 1,600 aid posts, three helicopters, a mobile hospital, 164 ambulancesand nine regional command centers to deal with traffic accidents, alcoholintoxication and food poisoning.

He said the two-tier operation starts 2pm Monday the 23rduntil Wednesday 25 at 8pm, and continue at 2pm Monday on the 30th,to conclude 8pm Wednesday. Jan. 1.

The official said the COE will coordinate its effortswith other agencies including the Red Cross, National Police and the Armed Forces,and Public Works ministries.