Expatriate volunteers can help Civil Defence rescue operations

Volunteer membership of the Civil Defence, the emergency rescue service, has been extended to expatriates for the first time.

Anyone living in the UAE can now offer their time and effort to the Civil Defence personnel under amendments in the Civil Defence Federal Law, made under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Sheikh Zayed issued the directives in 2001, asking the government to initiate a project which allows expatriates and nationals to voluntarily support emergency rescue operations.

Under the approved law, the Civil Defence General Directorate will invite volunteers to sign up on training programmes so they can be prepared for natural disasters, major accidents and fires, bomb warnings. Article No 110 of the law stipulates: "It will be all on volunteer basis and with the will of the people."

Announcing the approval of the law by the Cabinet, Major General Mohammed Salem bin Kardous Al Ameri, Director General of the Civil Defence, said it was necessary for the public to be prepared at all times.

Al Ameri said: "This is a good news for the country. We are thankful to His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Their Highnesses the Supreme Council members and Rulers of Emirates, and the government for such an initiative.

"This kind of volunteer scheme is set up in many countries all over the world. Some countries make it compulsory for people take part in rescue operations. We invite all the residents in the country to come forward and pay their national duty when there is a call for an emergency rescue operation.

"The Civil Defence has a lot of responsibilities, therefore it requires public support if disaster strikes.

"General public will be taught the importance of Civil Defence operations and trained on fire-fighting techniques, helping the wounded during accidents and transporting them to the nearest hospital. They will be trained on how to provide shelter to disaster victims."

However, female volunteers will be limited to providing relief aid, looking after children and providing food, water and medicine to the homeless and wounded.