The burning issue

Major General Rashid Thani Al Matrooshi explains how fire prevention strategies are evolving, with an insight into Dubai Civil Defence’s strategic plans.

“Over the past 18 months there have been a number of fire accidents in Dubai as the pace of construction takes its toll”
-Major General Rashid Thani Al Matrooshi

Fire protection and rescue measurements are top of the agenda for local governments, civil defence and private developers in the UAE, reports Intersec. According to Sheikh Faisai Khaled Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Emirates Insurance Association: “The UAE has seen more than 14,000 fire accidents from 2002 to September 2008, a sky-scraping figure, which calls for finding adequate methods of full-proof safety against fire, protecting human lives and properties, as well as the environment.”

Over the past 18 months there have been a number of fire accidents in Dubai as the pace of construction takes its toll. CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, Eckhard Pruy, reportedly said that worldwide more than 80,000 deaths per year can be attributed to fire and consequently the market for fire protection and prevention in the UAE is increasing by more than six percent per year. 

In December 2008, Major General Rashid Thani Al Matrooshi, announced the Dubai Civil Defence (DCD) strategic plan for the period 2009-1015. He admitted that the strategic plans had been updated after studying the previous year’s plan, after considering its compatibility with the specific targets and the need to develop an updated plan that compiled with the objectives of the Federal Government and the Government of Dubai.

“The plan came out as a result of continuous hard work of the teams entrusted with the study of the previous strategic plan 2007-2008. DCD’s various administrative and occupational heads of departments at all professional levels, from individuals and the executive staff members to the assistant directors, department directors and the heads of internal sections, participated in the formulation of the strategy,” explained Al Matrooshi. “To finalise the strategy formulation, we held 22 meetings and workshops, ending up with a final two days long workshop held under my supervision and the participation of all department directors.”

Al Matrooshi maintained that the six main strategic goals and the specified objectives will be achieved according to effectual timetables and the professional use of the available possibilities through functional projects and operational plans prepared for the purpose. He stressed the importance of upgrading skills, capabilities and competencies, citing the implementation of the ‘safety first’ project over the past three months as helping reduce fires in Dubai by 80 percent. 

The first strategic objective is about implementing the best practices and the latest technologies to provide excellent rescue and fire fighting services. Specified objectives include achieving and maintaining the highest response rates, improving fire station readiness to achieve full stand-by situation and developing aviation fire and rescue services.

The second strategic objective is improving the co-operation, support and distinguished performance in responding to crises and disasters. This includes participating with concerned departments, readiness to provide international aid and support in responding to crisis and disasters and partaking in restoring back life normalcy in the affected areas.

Thirdly, Al Matrooshi believes that prevention is key in protecting against fire hazards and disasters, with specified objectives including, preparing, implementing regulating and monitoring safety measures. The fourth objective involves spreading safety and preventative awareness across society, inviting volunteers from the society, preparing and organising them, enhancing the confidence of community in the Civil Defence Authority and improving private sector fire fighting capabilities.

Fifth on Al Matrooshi’s list is developing the DCD’s human resources, by training employees, providing a healthy working environment, building up capabilities and developing HR services. Sixth is establishing institutional excellence through adoption of a quality culture, achieving professional governance and managing hazards.

Safety first

In June 2008 the Dubai Civil Defence launched the ‘Safety First’ campaign, focusing on inspecting all areas that had factories and warehouses. The campaign involved 18 teams carrying out a strict inspection of the international safety standards at Deira and Bur Dubai, of the 7,816 premises visited during the period, with 3,319 sites found to be violating safety. Since the start of the campaign in June fire-related accidents dropped 22% in the last six months of 2008 to 300.