the most vulnerable. The LRC's mission includes the following programs and units: 50 Medical - Social Center 46 First Aid centers 30 Chapters or local committee 33 Youth Clubs 13 Mobile Clinics 13 Blood Transfusion centers 6 Nursing Institutes 2 Health Assistant schools 1 Safety & Security Unit 1 Orthopedic workshop Organizational structure The LRC consists of the president, the General Assembly, where the ultimate authority rests, the central committee composed of 42 volunteers members, the Executive Committee composed of 9 member heads of the active departments at the LRC (in addition to the President, the Vice-president and the treasurer). The LRC also includes the following departments: Safety & Security Planning & Development Internal Affairs Finance & Management Treasury Supply & Logistics Public Relations & Communications Medical & Social Services Blood Transfusion Banks First Aid Teaching Youth Volunteers Activities Concerning disaster preparedness and response, the LRC first-aid and ambulance teams are the only national ambulance service covering the whole of the Lebanese territory. The service operates over 250 ambulances, with 16 permanent staff and 2,000 volunteers on a continuous basis in 46 first-aid centres. Services are managed through a radio communication system from four central operation rooms, one in the capital city of Beirut, one in Tibnin in the South, one in Tripoli, and the last in the Bekaa. The first-aid and ambulance organization represents the backbone of emergency medical disaster preparedness in the country. Young volunteers from all religions and social groups are united in their work under the Red Cross emblem. Future The Lebanese Red Cross plans to strengthen its position and cover other areas, such as road safety, disaster preparedness, preventive health-care services, and youth and volunteer activities which are essential in order to promote humanitarian values among the new generation of citizens. Thus, in accordance with the International Federation Strategy 2010, the LRC established development plan with annual plans of action in order to reach the objectives. Its major priorities include continuing the implementation of institutional changes based on the organizational development program, focusing on the governance structure by reviewing the organization and establishing a long-term development plan, develop resource management strategies in order to become economically self-sufficient, and to support and further develop the activities and recruitment of volunteers in the National Society through various Red Cross activities and services. See also International Committee of the Red Cross International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement