Dubai civil defence & the highrise challenge
Published: 01 April, 2007
The United Arab Emirates is undergoing one of the most radical construction programmes in the world today, with the numbers of highrise buildings increasing enormously. Because of this, the Civil Defence Force of Dubai has set up a special early intervention task force to assist in the continuous battle to save lives in Dubai.
The United Arab Emirates is undergoing one of the most radical construction programmes in the world today, with the numbers of highrise buildings increasing enormously. Because of this, the Civil Defence Force of Dubai has set up a special early intervention task force to assist in the continuous battle to save lives in Dubai.
Brigadier General Al Matrooshi is the head of the Civil Defence Force and the man who set up the new highrise team. His team was formed in response to Law Number 22 for 2006, which was issued on the directives of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Primarily, the aim behind the legislation was to establish a ‘Disaster Management’ team. The new law also stipulated that the team should acquire skills to deal with dangerous situations. It should be better equipped and ready to move any time and anywhere to carry out its duties.
Fire prevention in tall buildings
Comments Brigadier General Al Matrooshi: “Highrise buildings are one of the issues that concern civil defence authorities around the world because the common humanitarian objective for the civil defence is to save lives.
“Reaching fire victims who are trapped in the higher levels of tall buildings where firefighting hoses cannot penetrate, is one of the issues that civil defence and fire equipment manufacturers are trying to address. But the main solutions we depend on are advanced automatic firefighting and direct alarm systems that would stop the spread of fire and smoke all over the building.”
The principal means of reaching trapped victims is through using helicopters. However, the Brigadier General states that prevention is a priority that is most strongly addressed in the new strategy.
By implementing strict fire regulations and installing the most advanced firefighting, prevention and alarm equipment in highrise buildings the Force hopes to reduce casualties to a minimum.
Additionally, training instructors, officers and firefighters are provided with up-to-date training programmes.
Even staff members who work in those buildings are provided with up-to-date training programmes which teach them how to deal with the initial stages of a fire before the fire crew arrives.
The team concept was initiated over a year ago. Training started about four months ago. All team members participated in an extremely intensive training course.
An assessment was made of the logistics that were needed to help the team accomplish its duties. The most practical step was to bring in helicopters.
Strict selection process
The Brigadier General continues: “Following an extensive study, the number of people needed for the helicopter rescue force, all very competent fire officers were nominated. The competency included courage and physical fitness.
“Following a test exercise, the most competent personnel of all were selected. Soon afterwards, they received intensive training that was conducted and supervised by experts in field training. The training programme considered all circumstances that the prospective rescuers were likely to encounter during parachuting and rescue operations.
“This strict selection process has helped us immensely with the additional training the members of the team required for the helicopter rescue operations.”
The team utilises two helicopters, fire engines and rescue vehicles equipped with the necessary manual and hydraulic rescue tools. Because the team is a part of the larger operational force, which performs rescues in and around the fire scene of highrise buildings, all firefighting and rescue equipment on the ground are considered as support equipment for the helicopter team.
It has been about two months since the formation of the task force was announced. The team is conducting complementary field training and is awaiting the additional training programme, which is highly professional and designed to address the various aspects of rescue operations, says the Brigadier General.
Future plans
“Being relatively new, the team only co-ordinates with rescue forces of the armed forces and Dubai Police. However, there are great plans for the future. The helicopter rescue team is working towards setting up similar firefighting and rescue teams in future,” he comments.
In conclusion, the Brigadier General highlights the importance of fire safety in Dubai’s highrise buildings.
“I cannot over-emphasise the importance of having advanced automatic firefighting systems in our highrise buildings - these are designed to preventing fires from spreading through the structures. “Four months ago, a fire erupted in one of the towers of a highrise structure. A fire alarm in one of the apartments of the highrise building sent a signal to the operations room at Dubai Civil Defence. A responding fire team, which rushed to the scene, found that the flat’s tenant was away on holiday when the fire had broken out. The sprinklers, which automatically doused the fire, were triggered as soon as the fire started in one corner of a bedroom.”
As well as its highrise service, the Defence Force is now also planning to set up other specialised rescue teams for other challenging areas of operation. FIRE & RESCUE hopes to bring you these operational details as soon as we can.
