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UAE Civil Defence: Guiding best practices in the field

Multifarious and continuous training courses help upgrade fire protection professionals’ skills

The Civil Defence Training Institute in Al Aweer is the main institution for aspiring professionals who wish to qualify in the art and science of civil defence. The institute is for Civil Defence employees, companies, public and private institutions, and safety teams relevant to the field.

The Institute offers the following training courses:

• The Foundation course
• The Resuscitation course
• Progressive extinguishment and rescue course
• Hazardous materials handling course
• Machinery and equipment course
• Rescue techniques course
• Buildings storming course
• Leadership and team building course
• Professional ventilator course
• Marine-rescue course
• Fire-fighting basics course
• Fire safety course
• First-aid course
• Physical fitness annual examination
• Fitness examination for appointments
• Participation in foreign countries’ incidents
• Internal championships

Speaking about the importance of inter-dependence between public/private sectors and civil defence in their various services, Major Saeed Sultan Rahoomi said that this coordination between public and private companies and Civil Defence has mutual benefits and values to the parties involved such as:

• Involving the private-sector in public services management (privatisation)
• Reducing the training cost
• Achieving excellent revenue for both parties (the government and private sector)
• The Dubai Civil Defence management has financial resources development, and making it a sustainable revenue centre
• Continuous knowledge transfer leading to self-sustainability
• The academy’s infrastructure training segments (simulation devices, buildings, equipment and machinery) 

In terms of future development plans, the Institute Director mentioned that the Civil Defence works with specific plans in the training field in line with the 2021 vision, which includes:

• The development and preparation of a global educational and training academy equipped with the latest curriculum, buildings and simulation systems
• Intensifying co-operation with international universities to offer specialised academic programmes
• Recruiting training cadres in fire, rescue and public safety fields
• Accommodating 200,000 trainees annually
• Management of the Dubai Civil Defence and delopment of its financial resources to make it a sustainable revenue centre 

The Civil Defence Federal Law No (32) of 2006, defined in Article No (12) the Civil Defence measures, includes the following requirements:

• Study risks and potential disasters and prepare necessary contingency plans to manage it.
• Prepare risk prevention programmes, potential disasters and its conditions.
• Set risk and disaster management plans during emergencies.
• Establish processing rooms and emergency management centres.
• General alarm system in case of potential risks.
• Preparation to evacuate residents in cases of emergency.
• Create public shelters and supervise private shelters in residential buildings and apartment, institutions and shelters, and provide medical and social care for those affected.
• Necessary equipment, machinery and devices preparation and processing for civil defence work.
• Necessary teams formation to carry out confrontation and rescue in affected areas.
• Training and provide phantom/simulated experience programmes for civil defence personnel, volunteers and civilians.
• Preparation and awareness programmes to disseminate information to the population about the necessary procedures during the risks.
• Take necessary measures against radioactive contamination, chemical and biological risks control in peace and war times in coordination and cooperation with concerned authorities.
• Civil Defence mutual cooperation between all emirates in the UAE.
• Create support and assistance centres to promote Civil Defence services at the national, regional and international level. The Council of Ministers issues the decision.
• Restore normal life to disaster-struck areas and assume the service roles of public and private facilities affected by the disaster.