ABU DHABI: The General Command of Civil Defence has recorded a 41 per cent drop in fire incidents across the country in the first half of this year [as compared to the same period last year].
According to the Civil Defence, 928 fire incidents were reported in buildings and establishments across the UAE in the first half of this year, in which 12 persons died and 115 others were injured.
As many as 596 cases of fires in vehicles were also reported in the first half of this year across the UAE, in which four persons lost their lives and 35 other suffered injuries. Major-General Jasem Mohammad Al Marzouqi, General Commander of Civil Defence, said, “The fire incidents recorded a drop of 41 per cent, while fatalaties in these incidents declined by eight per cent and injuries by 47 per cent.”
These figures are also lower than the targets adopted within the strategic plans of 2017-2021 of the General Command of Civil Defence.
While residential fires marked a decrease of 61 per cent in the country, small fire incidents declined by 87 per cent in the country.
Maj-Gen Al Marzouqi said, “The drop in fire incidents and damages in them could be achieved because of deploying highly experienced firefighters in the field and utilising the right equipment and technology.”
These measures were taken on the directives of Lt-General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior to take efficient steps to bring down the number of fire incidents and deaths caused by them, he said. Maj-Gen Al Marzouqi said awareness campaigns and workshops on fire safety and precautions were conducted in the country’s schools, educational institutions, residential and commercial entities, and they also engaged housewives and other members of the community.
The awareness campaigns targeting private villas and residential flats started in December last year and they will continue until the end of this year.
SOURCE:
http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/emergencies/41-drop-in-fires-across-the-country-in-first-half-1.2065119