The Civil Defence Department has been working with the Municipality to draw up a plan to number and name streets and buildings to make it easier to respond to emergency calls. Civil Defence spokesman Mahmud Hamad said the department has been responding to emergencies by using the caller's description of the area and local landmarks.

"It would be easier if buildings carried a numbering system and streets, even small residential streets, carry a name," he said. "The city of Dubai has already been divided into nine areas - Nos 1 and 3 are next to the Al Khaleej Road corniche while areas 2, 4 and 6 are for other areas in Deira and Bur Dubai."

Hatta is No 7 and No 5 is the Jebel Ali Free Zone, while Nos 8 and 9 are remote areas. "The plan which is currently applied has given each main road three identification numbers in which the first signifies the area, followed by a serial number and a road number," Hamad said.

Streets in residential areas have been given numbers from one to 99 and a letter to distinguish them from other streets carrying the same number. "Specially designed maps are being installed in different areas to make it easier for the public to understand the new plan," he said.

Civil Defence officers are also conducting field trips to various areas in the city to find the best routes to reach a spot when an emergency call comes. Their final outcome will be published in a brochure to be distributed and the public can make suggestions to the department to help locating their residence or office easier.