Kenya will deploy up to 1,000 highly trained safety and security marshals during the 2021 WRC Safari Rally even as the East African nation grapples to meet the tough safety standards set by FIA.
FIA top hierarchy led by president Jean Todt had cited risk and threat management and continuous Covid-19 testing as some of the main areas of concern ahead of the four-day even set to run from June 24-27.
The Kenyan government plans to use the event to promote road safety and staging a successful championship will be a top priority to the President Uhuru Kenyatta administration.
The event’s Organising Committee on Wednesday gave a sneak preview of the state of preparedness by staging safety, medical and security simulation exercise.
To ensure maximum safety, organisers are currently training the security team to take the shortest time possible during a rescue operation in case of an accident.
“Extrication from the car should not take more than 15 seconds,” WRC Promoter Raj Jutley said during a simulation exercise.
The event was attended by top government officials led by the country’s Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed.
Local rally driver Asad Khan was used as a ‘dummy’ in a complex extrication ‘rescue operation’ aimed at equipping the security team on how to apply emergency medical aid to an injured crew member.
The process was to demonstrate how to rescue an injured person from the scene of the accident to the air ambulance, without causing further injury.
The training involved using using the latest technology to cut through a metal to extricate an injured person.
Besides the marshals, Kenya will also deploy a team of police contingent, Darwin from the General Service Unit (GSU), a paramilitary wing of the Kenya Police, regular and Administration Police and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Rangers.
“We will not only secure the 1,000 kilometres rally route, but also ensure you will be safe from the port of entry, throughout your stay, and at the port of exit,” organizers assured.
