NORMECA AS establishes Medical Forensic Centre in Thailand in record time

Late Wednesday January 12, 2005, NORMECA AS received a ”go” from the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to build a container based medical forensic centre in Kao Lak, Thailand. The first of a total of six freight planes landed on Saturday 15th at Phuket International Airport with flat pack containers and other equipment. Meanwhile, the Authorities in Thailand had decided together with the international management committee of the identification teams, to concentrate the identification work at a new location closer to Phuket International Airport.

Late evening Tuesday January 18th, NORMECA AS received clearance to start the construction. However, when surveying the new location, NORMECA AS found that it was almost a jungle and without roads, water, sewer nor electricity. Nevertheless, NORMECA AS ensured that the work to prepare the approximately 28.000 m2 location, started the night to Wednesday 19th. Over the next few days, more than 300 truckloads of rocks etc. was removed in parallel with the building of a new 300 m road for heavy vehicles. More than 4.000 m of water pipes were put in place, two 8.000 litres special tanks for spill water from the work lines and sewer tanks were established.

Furthermore, 25 concrete carrier poles for 1.200 KVA electricity were established including the construction of a power station, more than 500 m2 of walkways and platforms were cast, approximately 1.000 m of concrete pillars as foundation for the work- and cooling containers were put in place in addition to the building of 420 m of a fence with 1,2 m height to separate clean and unclean side. Telecommunication has also been established at the location.

Finally, the forensic centre consisting of 800 m2 based on flat packed containers was set up. These buildings contain three major work lines, offices and cantina for approximately 70 people in addition to outside space for the same number of people, warehouse, toilettes and showers, all with air conditioning, water and drains.

Saturday the 22nd already, the first part of the offices and warehouse was being used and Thursday the 25th identification could start on the first work line. Saturday the 29th, the centre was officially opened by the Norwegian Minister of Fishery Mr. Svein Ludvigsen and handed over to the Site Commander Leif Anderson from the Swedish Police in the presence of many dignitaries. The centre was officially named Thailand Tsunami Victim Identification Centre.

All work from start to finish has been the responsibility of and under the supervision of NORMECA AS. In addition, NORMECA AS has the operational responsibility for maintenance and servicing of the centre the first three months. Thus, NORMECA AS will have a minimum of two Norwegian employees present during this period. NORMECA AS has furthermore employed more than 35 people locally to take care of daily cleaning, cantina for up till 160 people for lunch and 100 people for dinner, service and maintenance of the air conditioning and gradually more than 100 cooling containers in addition to 24/7 security for the centre.

During the construction period NORMECA AS had up till 100 local workers on site in addition to supervisors from Norway. The contract was for a turn-key centre including offices with everything from paperclips to computers and necessary equipment for the identification work.

The Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has donated the centre to Thailand Red Cross upon completion of the identification work.

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