03 March 2006
Dubai: Civil Defence will build a base for fire fighting helicopters in Al Aweer, a senior Civil Defence official said on Sunday.
Colonel Rashid Al Matroushi, Director of Dubai Civil Defence, said the department would receive the land's map from the municipality shortly.
"The helicopter base will have a research laboratory with all necessary rescue equipment, hangars and places for helicopter maintenance," Colonel Al Matroushi said.
The base will be located on Al Aweer Road near the Dragon Mart.
Clearance denied
"The previous idea was to have the base in the airport, but we did not get clearance for flying in that range," Colonel Al Matroushi said.
He said currently one helicopter was in operation and the other would be in service soon. The announcement came during the Civil Defence celebrations of the Civil Defence International Day 2006, under the slogan "Civil Defence and Economy".
Lieutenant General Shaikh Saif Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Interior and patron of Civil Defence International Day celebration, has affirmed in a speech delivered on his behalf that this year's celebration indicates the direct relations between Civil Defence and the economic sector. He added that a developed Civil Defence authority reassures real economic prosperity since it enhances investors' confidence.
A scientific symposium held as part of the celebrations discussed various aspects of fire fighting and first aid standards.
March 1 of every year is set apart to mark Civil Defence International Day, following the decision of the ninth General Committee of the International Civil Protection Organisation in 1990. The organisation aims at raising public awareness of the role played by national civil defence authorities in protecting lives, property and the environment.
Vehicles
Fire extinguishers may be made mandatory Colonel Rashid Al Matroushi, Director of Dubai Civil Defence, revealed that they are studying the possibility of making fire extinguishers obligatory in all vehicles.
"Statistics showed that most fires took place in houses and vehicles. Therefore, we are studying with the Roads and Transport Authority and NAFFCO the possibility of putting in fire extinguishers and making it obligatory in all vehicles," Colonel Al Matroushi said.
Talking civil safety
Colonel Rashid Thani Al Matroushi, Director of Dubai Civil Defence and Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee of Civil Defence International Day, and Ahmad Rashid Thani Al Matroushi, Director General of Emaar, Dubai, at the Civil Defence and Economy 2006 seminar held at the World Trade Centre, Dubai.
By Alia Al Theeb
Gulf News 2006. All rights reserved.
