Business & Money | Thursday 31 March, 2016 3:45 am |

Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, stressed the importance of expertise and information exchange between world countries, in order to enhance community protection against various risks. He also highlighted the importance of integrated efforts and ongoing coordination between civil protection authorities in order to achieve the best practices. 

 

These comments were made by His Highness in his speech at the “Innovative Firefighting” seminar, held this morning (Wednesday) in Abu Dhabi. The seminar, which is organized by the Ministry of Interior and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), was also attended by a number of firefighting experts and specialists. 

 

His Highness Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, highlighted the diligent efforts exerted by the Civil Defense staff members in extinguishing the “Address Hotel” in Dubai and the “Ajman One” residential cluster fires. He praised the outstanding performance, as well as the coordination and cooperation among Civil Defense entities at the countrywide level, and between other concerned authorities, which reflects the Integration Doctrine, which is the key to the success of teamwork, regardless of challenges. 

 

His Highness Sheikh Saif expressed his thanks and appreciation to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for responding to the UAE’s invitation to host the seminar. He said: “This embodies the prominent status attained by the UAE and leading position in the ranking of global competitiveness reports.

 

His highness also attended the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Directorate General of Civil Defense at the Ministry of Interior and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The MoU was signed by Major General Jassem Al Marzouqui, Commander-in-Chief of the Civil Defense at the Ministry of Interior, and by the CEO on behalf of the National Association. It aims to enhance cooperation between the two parties in the fields of training, scientific research, protection and fire fighting. 

 

HH Sheikh Saif then awarded 15 Civil Defense staff members the international accreditation badge, as Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS), which is considered the highest degree granted by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to prevention and safety engineers. It is worth mentioning that the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has the international accreditation to offer this highly regarded certification program.. 

 

The seminar was attended by Brigadier Mohammed bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Director General of Security and Ports Affairs at Abu Dhabi Police; Brigadier Saleh Saeed Al Matroushi, Director General of the Civil Defense in Ajman; Brigadier Mohammed Abdullah Al Zaabi, Director of the Civil Defense Department in Ras Al Khaimah; Colonel Hassan Ali Bin Sorm, Head of Umm Al Quwain Civil Defense Department; Colonel Ali Obeid Al Tunaiji, Director General of the Fujairah Civil Defense Department; Lt. Colonel Mohammed Abdul Jalil Abdullah Ahmed Al Ansari, Director General of Civil Defense in Abu Dhabi, and a number of officers in the sector. 

 

In his address during the inauguration ceremony, Major General Jassem Muhammad Al Marzouqui, Civil Defense General Commander-in-chief, stressed the importance of boosting the efficiency of national cadres in dealing with fires and civil protection. “The seminar aims to share the experiences of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) members and experts, and to keep abreast of developments in the field of civil defense to improve performance. The seminar will feature the signing of several MoUs with the NFPA, and emphasize the ongoing mutual cooperation,” he pointed out.

 

For his part, Jim Pauley, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), expressed his hope for further international cooperation to develop fire prevention codes, and to provide protection for firefighters and training on modern firefighting methods. He said: “The NFPA aims to reduce human loss of life or damage to property, and improve post-fire actions.”

 

Additionally, Jim Pauley indicated that the NFPA endeavors to share information and knowledge to help reduce human and material losses. “The NFPA strived to use technology and research to develop firefighting systems that avail of alternative energy and drones in fire inspection,” he added.

 

Colonel Mohammed Abdullah Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Executive Office of the Federal Civil Defense Sector Development Council underscored that the Council is endeavoring to raise the efficiency of national cadres working in civil defense entities, through honing their skills. “This aims to enable them to meet the challenges they face in light of the urban development and diversity of the buildings and facilities of special nature, so as to preserve lives and properties,” he noted.

 

Founded in 1896, the NFPA is a prestigious global, non-profit organization headquartered in the USA devoted to training civil defense personnel, to reduce and prevent deaths, injuries, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related risks. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards; to help rescue and firefighting personnel to identify dangers they may encounter due to hazardous materials, and acquaints them with the devices, procedures and precautions to be followed as of the first moments of emergency response.