The General Directorate of Civil Defense in Dubai is one of the solid government institutions that played a pivotal role in protecting lives and property in the emirate. This department was established in 1976 based on the directives of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the then ruler of Dubai, who paid great attention to infrastructure projects, including civil defense services. The General Directorate of Civil Defence – Dubai is led by Major General Expert Rashid Thani Al Matrooshi, who has extensive experience and a strategic vision that has contributed to enhancing the role of the department as a leading entity in the fields of safety and civil protection.
DAEM contracting LLC will explain everything related to DCD, including the systems and procedures that contribute to enhancing public safety.
• Protecting lives and public and private property.
• Providing relief to those affected in emergencies and disasters.
• Ensuring the safety of transportation and public facilities.
• Protecting national wealth sources.
DCD is divided into several sectors, and these sectors are divided into departments that serve the main objective of each sector. We will talk about them in detail:
The Strategy and Governance Sector has a primary mission to formulate and develop the strategic vision of the General Administration, in line with the objectives of the Dubai Government and the Ministry of Interior. As a result, its role extends to include anticipating the future and adopting the best international practices in the field of quality and institutional excellence. Accordingly, the sector strives to achieve integration between various departments and formations, by establishing effective mechanisms for follow-up and evaluation. This integration leads to enhancing transparency and accountability. Accordingly, the Strategy and Governance Sector is keen to build strong partnerships with various government and private institutions, by developing modern and effective communication tools. The sector is divided into a number of departments, which are:
According to the new organizational structure of Dubai Civil Defense, the department is responsible for developing a strategic planning methodology. In addition, the department seeks to develop programs and initiatives that aim to enhance key and supporting operations. Its tasks also include developing services, preparing work guides, regulations and procedures, and effectively implementing quality, excellence and knowledge management systems.
In addition, the department supervises the development of a clear methodology for drawing up strategic and operational plans, while accurately identifying their priorities and measuring mechanisms. In addition, the department works to implement quality systems and adopt models and requirements for developing institutional performance in line with government excellence standards and government services. From this standpoint, the department ensures that Civil Defense plans and programs are consistent with these standards, which contributes to enhancing the culture of excellence and innovation in service provision
The Dubai Civil Defense Inspection and Control Department is responsible for, firstly, developing and implementing a plan for scheduled and unscheduled audits and inspections, and secondly, verifying compliance with the regulations and policies governing the work of the Ministry of Interior and the Government of Dubai, as well as the Civil Defense controls and related programs. This is done in a manner that aims, on the one hand, to manage all daily activities and operations, and, on the other hand, to follow up on a permanent and continuous basis to ensure the implementation of the best strategies. These strategies, in turn, ensure sustainable development in all Dubai Civil Defense operations and services.
The Government Communication Department works to keep communication channels between Civil Defense and customers open and transparent, as it is responsible for developing and implementing an integrated strategy for internal and external communication, in accordance with the directives of the Government Communication Office of the Government of Dubai.
In addition, the department explores areas of media communication and partnership with government and private institutions, which contributes to supporting the policies and programs of Dubai Civil Defense and its strategic plan. In the same context, the department is responsible for implementing various media activities and organizing events and initiatives, in addition to supervising the applications of the corporate identity.
The department’s tasks also include managing and developing the content of the website and social media channels, in continuous coordination with various other departments to ensure the achievement of common goals
The sector leads firefighting and rescue operations in the Emirate of Dubai, where it is primarily responsible for developing operational development plans that ensure the readiness of human, mechanical and technical resources. In addition, the sector works to achieve the best firefighting and rescue applications efficiently and effectively, by employing the latest digital technologies and following the highest competitive international standards. In addition, the sector is responsible for the geographical distribution of firefighting and rescue centers in order to ensure safety in the Emirate of Dubai, based on a careful analysis of the requirements of reality and according to a forward-looking vision for the future. It also manages the smart electronic (control and command) room with leading professionalism, which ensures a rapid and effective response to various emergencies. The sector is divided into departments, which are:
The sector leads firefighting and rescue operations in the Emirate of Dubai, where it is primarily responsible for developing operational development plans that ensure the readiness of human, mechanical and technical resources. In addition, the sector works to achieve the best firefighting and rescue applications efficiently and effectively, by employing the latest digital technologies and following the highest competitive international standards. In addition, the sector is responsible for the geographical distribution of firefighting and rescue centers in order to ensure safety in the Emirate of Dubai, based on a careful analysis of the requirements of reality and according to a forward-looking vision for the future. It also manages the smart electronic (control and command) room with leading professionalism, which ensures a rapid and effective response to various emergencies. The sector is divided into departments, which are:
The tasks of the Marine Fire and Rescue Department are primarily based on implementing specialized civil defense activities in the field of marine fire and rescue, in continuous coordination with the competent authorities. In addition, the department provides boats and ships specialized in the field of marine fire, and equips them with the necessary equipment and supplies to ensure their full readiness. In addition, the department supervises the implementation of training plans for marine fire and rescue, in addition to protecting ships, vessels and dry docks. The department follows up on the implementation of these plans periodically to ensure the highest levels of readiness and safety in marine operations.
The Technical Affairs Department is responsible for ensuring the readiness of firefighting vehicles and boats, specialized vehicles, machinery, and support equipment around the clock, in addition to maintaining and repairing them according to the best internationally approved technical systems. This is done according to specific timetables to ensure the efficiency and quality of operations. In addition, the department is committed to applying the highest international quality standards in selecting vehicles, machinery, and equipment, and provides devices for Dubai Civil Defense specialized services to ensure the highest levels of performance and readiness
The tasks of the Centers Affairs Department are based on providing support and assistance to develop the performance of the centers, and ensuring the implementation of instructions and tasks, by providing trained teams in the field of firefighting and rescue, and ensuring immediate response to calls related to accidents, in the areas of jurisdiction. The department provides mechanisms, vehicles, firefighting equipment, and everything related to technical and logistical services.
The sector supervises the development and implementation of Dubai Civil Defense measures related to the protection of civilians, as it is responsible for applying modern preventive and precautionary methods capable of managing risks, in addition to spreading preventive awareness among members of society to ensure the protection of civilians and ensuring their safety. The sector also aims to preserve national property and wealth in natural or emergency conditions, by following up on the implementation of prevention and safety requirements in residential, commercial and industrial buildings and developing them in accordance with the efficiency and effectiveness standards contained in the Emirates Fire Protection Guide. In addition, the sector ensures the implementation of controls for granting or renewing licenses for private and public companies and institutions. The sector is responsible for implementing digital and field plans and programs to enhance preventive awareness and spread safety behaviors among all members of society, with a focus on fire risks and methods of prevention. It is divided into:
The Preventive Safety Department, under the supervision of Dubai Civil Defense, is responsible for following up on the implementation of prevention and safety requirements in residential, commercial and industrial buildings and developing them according to the required standards of efficiency and effectiveness. In addition, the department follows up on the implementation of the terms and conditions related to granting or renewing licenses for private and public companies and institutions, after ensuring that they meet all applicable terms and conditions. In addition, the department undertakes planned and surprise inspection procedures for facilities and factories with the aim of ensuring the provision of safety and security conditions, as well as reducing potential risks
The Civil Protection Department supervises the process of developing and implementing preventive awareness plans and programs directed at various workers in the production, marketing, service, education and health sectors, in addition to community organizations and the public in general. The Department also follows up on the implementation of sound preventive and precautionary practices that ensure avoiding risks, protecting civilians and ensuring their safety, as well as preserving national property and wealth in various circumstances, locations and times. In this context, the Department works to adopt and implement these programs to ensure the highest levels of safety and security.
The sector is responsible for developing and implementing programs and applications for smart government services and operations plans, in line with the Dubai 2021 Strategy to achieve global leadership in smart services. In addition, the sector supervises the management of cloud applications, ensuring the readiness, safety and security of information, and ensuring the sustainability of the operation of technical devices and operating systems.
In addition, the sector sets and implements standards, policies and future development plans for smart and electronic digital transactions, allowing customers to use them to complete transactions easily, accurately and in less time. The sector also supervises the management of the smart systems project for monitoring electronically protected buildings, which is a fundamental pillar of public safety in all buildings and facilities in Dubai.
The Communications Systems Department is responsible for providing electronic systems, programs, services and communications to the General Administration and its formations, in addition to securing the information network and providing electronic services to employees and clients. The department also works on updating electronic programs to keep pace with developments in the field of civil defense, which ensures continued efficiency and effectiveness in operations.
In addition, the Department supervises wireless network services, undertakes quality approval, and develops standards and infrastructure for communications systems in the Dubai Civil Defence General Directorate.
The Smart Systems Department oversees the provision of an integrated system of smart services to the public in all its segments, in accordance with the best international practices in information and communications technology. In addition, the department provides integrated operational support, in line with the Dubai Smart Government strategy.
To achieve this goal, Dubai Civil Police has launched a number of applications that meet the requirements of all customers and direct and easy communication channels around the clock to complete all fire related transactions.
The Information Technology Department meets all the Civil Defense needs related to systems, software and electronic security, and provides technical support to all employees. It is also responsible for preparing studies, recommendations, specifications and contracts related to information technology, systems and technical applications, in addition to network management and security.
Moreover, the department develops technical systems and applications and ensures their maintenance to improve workflow and complete tasks in the best possible way.
The sector is concerned with providing various services, resources and needs to ensure the quality of work results, and thus the performance of the main and supporting operations of the various organizational units in a distinguished manner. In addition, the sector supervises the development of plans and the implementation of the main operations and projects implemented by the departments of training and performance development, financial affairs, human resources, and services and equipment. Moreover, the sector is committed to work policies and procedures
It also organizes financial affairs efficiently and effectively. On the other hand, the sector secures the needs of departments, offices and sections for material resources. Finally, the sector contributes to designing, developing, following up and implementing effective communication programs to clarify all policies and procedures related to employee affairs and is divided into:
The work is based on providing human resources according to the needs of the General Administration and its formations, and thus the human budget is prepared accurately. In addition, plans are prepared for the qualification and development of qualified cadres in the field of civil defense with the aim of supporting the achievement of the strategic objectives of the General Administration, with a focus on following up on the evaluation of the performance of employees on an ongoing basis.
In addition, the department is responsible for managing and developing human resources, which contributes to enhancing organizational capabilities. It also aims to empower, attract and qualify the necessary competencies capable of keeping pace with current and future challenges.
It is concerned with managing and organizing financial affairs related to the tasks of the General Administration, in accordance with the approved controls, while ensuring continuous coordination with the competent authorities in the leadership and the ministry. The tasks also include working on preparing the estimated budgets, then following up and implementing them accurately. In addition, the approved financial policies, systems and procedures are implemented.
In addition to following up and submitting annual expenditure reports and preparing the final account. To enhance resources, the necessary proposals are made to develop the self-revenues of Dubai Civil Defense.
It is concerned with preparing the necessary plans for the administrative affairs of the General Administration and its formations, with the aim of providing and offering the necessary support to enable the departments to achieve the strategic objectives. It also plays a supporting and primary role in providing logistical support and all the needs of equipment and supplies, whether in normal or emergency situations.
In addition, it supervises the construction and maintenance of buildings, with a focus on environmental control within them. In parallel, it works to provide protection and prevention equipment, and complete all tasks according to approved administrative plans.
The Academy is responsible for developing human capital with the aim of raising the level of functional efficiency of employees, through an integrated framework based on current and future programs and plans. In this way, the Academy contributes to achieving the strategic objectives of the Ministry of Interior and the Dubai Government Human Resources Department.
Moreover, the Academy seeks to keep pace with the challenges of changing work requirements, as training is an effective means of transferring technical and practical knowledge in a way that enables the employee to face any challenges imposed by the cognitive acceleration within the work environment.
Dubai Civil Defence’s “Hasantak (Commercial)” direct alarm system aims to enhance the safety and security of lives and properties in Dubai, through a 24/7 emergency operations centre. Moreover, the system uses the latest M2M technology to monitor emergency alarms installed in residential buildings directly and instantly.
As for the challenges, one of the most important challenges facing fire services at the local and international levels is to anticipate the event rather than deal with it by reacting. This in turn means increasing the focus on preventive measures rather than dealing with incidents after they occur.
In the event of an emergency, such as a fire, elevator or pump failure, or even an emergency accident, an automatic alert signal is sent to the command. Furthermore, the systems send alarms when any malfunctions occur in the safety systems. As a result, the center’s monitoring screen, in coordination with the operations centers of the Dubai Civil Defense centers, displays
The smart systems are installed around the clock (24X7) in the buildings, where they are connected to the main control center of the Dubai Civil Defense via satellite. In addition, these systems use GPRS remote communication technology to monitor the building in real time and around the clock. In addition, the systems exchange data and information about the safety of the building periodically and continuously
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