Beijing's medical divisions are doing their utmost to prepare for possible emergencies during the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday, beginning on Sunday.

China News Service reports that the Beijing Emergency Medical Center will, for the first time, send out ambulance vehicles on New Year's Eve to patrol the city. Over a hundred such ambulances will sweep the city's major residential areas, aiming to provide first aid to those injured by fireworks.

The center has also mapped out detailed emergency plans, and prepared abundant medicines for urgent use.

The ambulance hotline, 120, is also reported to have added operators, to deal with the likely surge in calls.

Beijing's prestigious Tongren Hospital also has designated a hundred medical experts to be placed on 24-hour duty.

This year's New Year holiday is the second following Beijing's lifting of a 12-year ban on fireworks.

(CRI.cn February 16, 2007)