Over 618,000 UAE workers trained for firefighting in 3 years

KT file photo

Abu Dhabi - Over 11 million people have benefited from civil defence awareness programmes last year.

Ismail Sebugwaawo

Published: Sun 21 Mar 2021, 4:51 PM

Over 618,000 workers at various facilities in the UAE have been equipped with firefighting skills for the past three years in a bid to safeguard people’s lives if a fire breaks out, civil defence authorities said.

Major-General Jassem Muhammad Al Marzouki, Commander-in-Chief, Civil Defence at the UAE’s Ministry of Interior, said he recently presented a policy on civil defence workers at various establishments for safe upkeep of buildings and their occupants.

Advertising

He cited that compliance with safety and prevention requirements in facilities, including residential buildings and commercial establishments across the UAE, stood at 95 per cent.

“Altogether, 106,053 inspections were carried out on buildings and commercial establishments in the country,” said Al Marzouki.

He said Emirati firefighters were leading from the front.

Al Marzouqi said the UAE General Command of Civil Defence aimed to expand its strategic partnerships with the public and private sector stakeholders in a bid to reach out to the maximum number of beneficiaries.

Over 11 million (m) people have benefited from civil defence awareness programmes last year, he added. While around 39m people have gained between 2017 and 2020.

The ministry noted that it was providing training programmes to its staff to tackle emergencies and crises in coordination with Rabdan Academy, which is known for its trained experts.

Plans are also afoot to enrol officers in specialised courses at the Civil Defence Academy. Volunteers, who have required skill sets, are welcome to join the course, he added.

ismail@khaleejtimes.com