Abu Dhabi - The equipment, which is similar to those used in ambulances, allows firefighters to recover quickly after being exposed to smoke while on duty.
Published: Tue 30 Jun 2020, 1:39 PM
Updated: Tue 30 Jun 2020, 6:06 PM
As firefighters go about their duty of saving lives, the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence is making sure that they, too, are protected. Authorities on Monday launched their first fire truck equipped with oxygen tanks, which firefighters can easily use if they experience breathing difficulties during an operation.
This truck is the first of its kind in the region, the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence said. The equipment, which is similar to those used in ambulances, allows firefighters to recover quickly after being exposed to smoke while on duty.
"If you had to handle a fire where you may be exposed to breathing difficulties due to chemicals or vapours, you can get an oxygen supply just from over your seats," a civil defence official explained to firefighters.
"The cylinder has a valve installed inside the truck and all firefighters have to do is turn on the cylinder valve."
The fire truck has five oxygen outlets, with one outlet allocated to each firefighter. They can easily connect their masks to the outlet so they can breathe normally.
Brigadier Mohammed Ibrahim Al Amri, deputy director general of the General Administration of Civil Defence - Abu Dhabi, said the new fire truck is part of the smart system of devices and mechanisms that were rolled out for the team.
"The public administration recently adopted the latest smart devices to support firefighters in performing tasks in the most difficult conditions, while ensuring their safety," said Al Amri.
The department has provided the team with the best protective personal equipment. It has also introduced innovative systems to help reduce the use of water and foam during firefighting operations, said the civil defense official.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com
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