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29 March 2024

68 set for 4th UAE International Firefighter Challenge in Dubai

Published
By Allaam Ousman

Firefighting is a job for professionals in real life emergency situations.

It requires extraordinary courage, fitness and determination to fight against raging fires to rescue victims.

They are the unsung heroes.

Now these firefighters get a chance to vie for glory in a unique competition and pit their skills in a race against time.

911 Fire Fighting & Occupational Safety Training is organising the 4th UAE International Firefighter Challenge at at the Plaza area of the Dubai World Trade Center from January 15 to 17.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and umbrella of the General Directorate of Dubai Civil Defence, the Firefighter Challenge is a series of timed fire fighting tasks commonly performed in emergency situations.

The Challenge turns into a race against time simulating the 6 essential tasks of firefighting and rescue: stair climb, hose hoist, forced entry, running, pulling the hose and victim rescue.

The competition is a gruelling test of strength and determination.

It is a challenge for professional participants, including fire fighters, security officers, rescuers and emergency responders from hotels, shopping malls and commercial establishments  from around the Emirates and around the world, will compete in this thrilling event that aims at developing firefighter skills.

The 911 Fire Fighter Challenge is a specially designed course that tests the basic fitness skills of a professional fireman.

The 15 metre tower replicates the climb up emergency stairs to a platform where more hose weighing 20kg has to be hauled by hand to the top.

A rapid but safe descent is then made to the base and a simulated wall removal has to be completed.

A sprint to a fully pressured hose and a requirement to drag it 45 metres and release a directed jet of water.

Finally the competitor must lift the dead weight of a 80kg mannequin and drag it clear of the tower and past the finish line.

Originally designed as a motivational competition for the professional, the 911 Fire Fighter Challenge is now available for use by private companies to build fire awareness in their staff and to also help them understand how working together in an emergency, saves lives, says organisers.

"The best can do it under two minutes," said chief organiser Mohammad Al Ahmadi, ex-fire chief of the Dubai Civil Defence.

"The challenge is basically to see who is fitter, faster and stronger to fight fire. It not only requires fitness and skills, you need endurance and strength," he said.

Al Ahmadi outlined some of the objectives of the challenge.

"We want to create public awareness and garner appreciation for our unsung heroes. Provide a platform for the real champions to demonstrate their skills to be fitter, stronger and faster.  Showcase UAE as a focal meeting place for security, fire service and safety best practice," he said.

There will be 68 competitors for the Challenge in Dubai with participants coming from Jordan, Kuwait, Germany and Austria apart from UAE.

The first two days will comprise of training and competition will be both individual and team while many surprises and prizes are in store for the public. Entrance to watch the competition is free.

For more details about participation call +971 4 2514514 or email info@911-challenge.com