New fire-fighting unit in Al Barsha

Dubai: Dubai Civil Defence today inaugurates a new fire-fighting centre in Al Barsha, with plans to launch two additional centres this year, a senior official said in an exclusive interview with Gulf News.

The Civil Defence launched new centres in two locations in 2009, including Port Saeed.

This year, the new centres will operate from Al Marsa, Marina area, and Al Manara, Major Ali Al Muttawa, Director, operations department, Dubai Civil Defence said.

Currently, 13 centres operating across Dubai respond to emergency calls, within a six to eight minutes time frame.

According to Al Muttawa, around 71 per cent of fire-related reports were responded to within six to eight minutes in 2008. The number increased to 83 per cent in 2009.

There has been an 18 per cent decline in the number of fire-related incidents reported across Dubai. As per a previous Gulf News report, two people were killed in fire-related accidents in 2009.

Last year saw the lowest number of fire-related accidents and casualties recorded, in a period spanning three years.

Step up

Dubai Civil Defence stepped up efforts in 2008 after the emirate reported a spate of massive fire-related accidents in 2007.

The improvement is attributed to frequent fire drills, enforcement of regulations which require establishments to install fire alarm systems and minimising the effects of fire.

Around 275 fire drills have thus far been conducted in Dubai. According to Al Muttawa, 278,000 varied establishments are presently connected to the smart fire alarm system.

"All commercial establishments are obliged to install the [alarm] system. Otherwise, they can't renew their licence ... a study is under consideration to fine establishments that fail to abide by these rules," he said.

Alarm systems

Some private schools have already installed the alarm systems while plans are underway to include these in public schools as well. Al Muttawa said that a budget would need to be allocated first.

The three centres to receive maximum number of calls were Al Rashidiya, Al Qusais, and Al Barsha.

Classifications

Minor fire accident: fire sets in one location — for example one part of the house and is not spreading.

Moderate: The fire is moving from one place to the other but is under control.

Severe: the fire is spreading and has destroyed the entire area.