Sharjah fire cases plunge by half after increased inspection and awareness
The number of fire-related incidents in Sharjah fell by more than half after increased inspections and awareness campaigns last year.
Last year, authorities in the emirate recorded 130 fire incidents, down 56 per cent from 299 in 2019.
No deaths were recorded in 2020, compared to two fire-related fatalities in 2019.
After a spate of fires in industrial areas in 2019, blazes in those zones now make up less than 10 per cent of the total incidents in the emirate.
Sharjah Civil Defence said that adding six vehicles to their fleet had cut the average response time to four minutes and 41 seconds.
“We have also increased the number of firefighters by 72,” said Col Sami Al Naqbi, director general of Sharjah Civil Defence.
Two new civil defence centres were also opened last year in Al Dhaid and Kalba.
A smart monitoring system that links buildings with the central control room is also credited with improved response times.
“No one in the entire world can reach zero fires, and our role is not only to combat fires but to also reduce and prevent them by increasing awareness campaigns and inspections,” he said.
With 186 people volunteering to work with the department, about 12 per cent of Sharjah’s residents have been targeted by fire safety messages.
“Due to Covid-19 we took our awareness campaigns to social media,” said Col Al Naqbi.
“We launched several safety messages including being careful when it comes to home appliances, and buying ones that meet safety standards.”
Campaigns also successfully targeted building owners and company executives, with a 28 per cent increase in the number of those investing in civil defence related activities.
It is hoped this progress will reap dividends for Sharjah in the future.
“Creating a safe environment brings more investors,” he said.