The Dubai Civil Defence will launch a new centre for studies and research this year, to analyse fire accidents and develop new fire safety techniques, it was announ-ced on Wednesday.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 8th UAE Fire Safety Forum, Major-General Rashid Thani Al Matro-ushi, director-general of the Dubai Civil Defence, said the centre will help the UAE study fire safety techniques in detail and benefit from experiences of other countries worldwide to develop better techniques to predict and prevent further accidents.
"The centre will study everything related to the core business of civil defence and analyse our methodologies and strategies thoroughly. We are at a point that goes well beyond controlling accidents, preparing codes or guidelines. We are now working to elevate our work in civil defence and rescue," said Al Matroushi.
Sixty per cent of fire accidents worldwide occur due to faulty electricity circuits, while 30 per cent are the results of road accidents, Al Matrooshi said.
After eight years in preparation, the centre will be headed by trained staff who earned their postgraduate degrees from Europe and Malaysia, to implement their different international experiences in the UAE. Teams at the centre will be recruited according to certain guidelines and standards.
While Dubai has succeeded in having short response times to fire accidents, the centre aims to study measures that will mark a major shift in civil defence operations and place the country among the global competition. "It isn't only about putting out fire accidents, but what happens after the fire. There are studies of the success rate, negatives and gaps that need to be filled. The centre will allow us to study fire accidents in all aspects," said Al Matroushi.
Held under the slogan, 'Safety for all: Today we face tomorrow's challenges based on our learned lessons of the past,' the forum witnessed the wide participation of government representatives and international experts who gathered to discuss best practices in the field of fire safety.
SOURCE:
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/nation/dubai/centre-to-study-fire-prevention-strategies
Amendments to the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice, latest trends and the best strategies and solutions were addressed to ensure that the institutions operating in the field are complying with the UAE guidelines, to avoid further accidents.