Look: Dubai Police’s elite rescue unit saves more than 200 lives in rugged terrains of Hatta

Dubai:  Dubai Police’s elite ‘Hatta Braves’ unit reported saving more than 200 lives last year through mountain rescues and emergency medical response across the rugged terrains of Hatta.

Operating under the Hatta Police Station, the highly trained unit rescued 25 individuals stranded in mountainous areas and valleys, while providing life-saving emergency medical assistance to hundreds more. The unit works in close coordination with the Dubai Police Air Wing and Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services.

Ensuring safety in Hatta
Brigadier Mubarak bin Mubarak Al Ketbi, Director of Hatta Police Station, praised the unit’s exceptional year of service and highlighted that its formation was part of a visionary directive by Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, aimed at enhancing safety infrastructure in line with Hatta’s growing status as a global adventure tourism hub.
“The creation of the ‘Hatta Braves’ unit aligns with Dubai Police’s strategic goal of rapid emergency response. Each member is highly trained to handle various emergency scenarios around the clock, especially in areas frequented by hikers, adventure seekers, and mountain climbers.”

Reaching remote areas
The unit undergoes rigorous physical and tactical training to navigate Dubai’s challenging mountain terrains. Equipped with mountain-ready bicycles and specialised gear, the unit can reach the most remote parts of the valleys. These smart bikes are fitted with rescue kits, and direct communication links to the Command and Control Centre.

Colonel Abdullah Al Hafeet, Deputy Director of Hatta Police Station, highlighted the team’s rapid-response capability. “Our Braves complete intensive field training to ensure high-speed response in life-threatening situations. Their ability to reach remote, difficult-to-access areas makes them essential to our public safety mission.”

Night operations
First Lieutenant Muhammad Obaid Al Kaabi, Head of the Hatta Braves Unit, pointed out that the unit uses state-of-the-art equipment, including modified off-road vehicles, LED searchlights, thermal imaging drones for night operations, and live-streaming helmet cameras.

“The bikes alone are customised for narrow trails and rugged paths, fully loaded with rescue gear, smart communication tools, and medical kits,” he said.
They operate high-performance quad bikes, rescue drones, and various heavy-duty rescue tools designed for mountain operations, making them a formidable force in rapid-response scenarios.