UAE Firefighting Challenge at Dubai World Trade Centre

Firefighting is not for the faint hearted but the general public will get a chance to see the tasks performed during emergency situations by professionals in the 4th UAE International Firefighter Challenge in Dubai from January 15 to 17.

The three-day competition organised by 911 Fire Fighting & Occupational Safety Training at the Plaza area of the Dubai World Trade Center from 10 am to 5 pm has attracted firemen from Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Germamy, Canada, Austria and hosts UAE.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and umbrella of the General Directorate of Dubai Civil Defence, it is part of the Intersec Expo which is the largest and most comprehensive exhibition and conference for security, safety and fire protection in the Middle East.

"In accordance with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, we are glad to be part of events which support the hardworking community. It is really unique event which gives public an idea of what kind of work they do and appreciate their efforts," said Imran Saleh Al Jasmi, Chief Executive Sports Event Department of the Dubai Sport Council at a press conference on Wednesday to officially announce the event.

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

There will be individual, double and relay events.

"It is the toughest two-minute sport," said Mohammed Al Ahmadi, Managing Director of 911 Firefighting Group.

The winner was timed at 2 minutes 40 seconds. Last year it improved to 1:45.

Canada won the individual event and Germany the double and relay events.

"It is a competition which demands high levels of physical fitness. Not everybody can be a fire fighter. It needs strength and endurance," explained Al Ahmadi, former fire chief of Dubai Civil Defence.

He invited the public to come and see how the firefighters perform difficult tasks.

"It is very important for them to go and see because there is a public awareness about fire safety. Fire fighing really tough job. There will also be a competition for the public by wearing equipment and doing one or two tasks as a family," he said.

The firefighters will begin training from Saturday at Dubai's Civil Defence training academy and on the course on January 14 and 15.

Asked about the objective of staging this competition, Al Ahmadi said: "It encourages them to enhance fitness level and motivate them. For Civil defence and fire service units to have best firefighters who are motivated and still motivated to do training. Our government's strategic objective to have people maintaining physical fitness with training. It also gives the public awareness and appreciation by showing this job is really tough."

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


 

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