Bahrain is stepping up its emergency response capabilities to ensure rescue workers can handle crises in the country's high-rise buildings, said a senior government officla.

Orders have been issued to modernise the Civil Defence fleet, allowing it to keep pace with industrial and urban development.

'Cutting-edge equipment and giant cranes will be purchased as part of efforts to enhance readiness to deal with emergency cases,' Civil Defence Assistant Director-General Colonel Mohammed Showaiter said yesterday.

The move is based on orders issued by Public Security chief Major General Tariq Al Hassan.

Civil Defence personnel are now undergoing specialist training in rescue operations at skyscrapers and multi-storey buildings.

The drills are also testing the efficiency of giant hydraulic cranes in the event of an emergency. – TradeArabia News Service