Latest news with #GeneralDirectorateofCivilDefence
Gulf Insider
5 days ago
- Gulf Insider
Saudi Arabia: AI-Powered ‘Saqr' Drone Deployed For Firefighting And Rescue Missions During Hajj
Saudi Arabia's General Directorate of Civil Defence has deployed an advanced AI-powered drone, 'Saqr', to support firefighting and rescue operations during the Hajj season. Developed to meet the demands of modern firefighting, 'Saqr' is equipped with cutting-edge technologies that allow it to access hazardous areas that are beyond the reach of human responders. As part of the authority's enhanced emergency response system, 'Saqr' is specifically designed to operate in high-risk, hard-to-reach environments, delivering rapid assistance where human intervention is limited or unsafe. The drone features multi-functional firefighting and rescue capabilities and can operate continuously for up to 12 hours. Outfitted with thermal imaging cameras, advanced safety protocols, and real-time site transmission, 'Saqr' is fully integrated with the central command and control centre, ensuring seamless coordination and immediate response during emergencies. With the ability to reach high altitudes and carry a payload of approximately 40 kilogrammes, the drone is tailored for deployment in complex environments such as high-rise buildings, industrial zones, hazardous material sites, densely populated areas, and forest fires. The drone's AI-powered systems significantly enhance situational awareness, reduce risks to human responders, and support faster, data-driven decision-making during emergencies—reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to adopting smart technologies for public safety.
Daily Tribune
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Tribune
Civil Defence Launches Nationwide Summer Safety Campaigns to Protect Lives and Property
sk As part of its ongoing commitment to public safety, the General Directorate of Civil Defence has launched a series of nationwide awareness campaigns and targeted programmes aimed at promoting a culture of safety during the high-risk summer months. Brigadier Ali Mohammed Al Kubaisi, Director-General of Civil Defence, announced that the initiative forms a core element of the Directorate's strategic plan to prevent and mitigate incidents linked to extreme heat and the improper use of energy sources. He confirmed that over 65 locations across all governorates of the Kingdom of Bahrain will be covered as part of this year's campaign. Highlighting the importance of public cooperation, Brig. Al Kubaisi stressed the need to follow safety regulations to protect both lives and property. He noted that, in the past three years, the Directorate has conducted 265 awareness campaigns targeting key risk-prone areas. These include home safety, worker accommodations, fuel stations, factories, warehouses, workshops, and even specific seasonal focuses such as pilgrim safety and safety practices during the Ashura season. Additional initiatives have been rolled out to address safety in places of worship, commercial warehouses, parking areas, and swimming pools. The Directorate has also implemented self-protection programmes for shop workers and educational campaigns in partnership with local institutions. With summer temperatures on the rise, Brig. Al Kubaisi warned of the increased risk of fires caused by the overuse or poor maintenance of electrical appliances. He urged the public to conduct regular maintenance checks, inspect wiring and plugs, replace damaged components, and ensure that appliances meet national safety standards. Proper ventilation, particularly for air conditioners, and routine cleaning of filters and fans were also emphasised to reduce the risk of overheating. The Director-General reaffirmed the Directorate's dedication to raising public awareness through community partnerships involving both government and private sector entities. He called on all citizens and residents to adhere to safety guidelines and cooperate fully with Civil Defence teams to maintain a secure and stable
Sharjah 24
27-05-2025
- Business
- Sharjah 24
"Saned" launches campaign to enhance alarm system efficiency
The campaign is launched as part of joint cooperation between the three entities to address technical faults in early warning systems, based on data provided by the "Aman" system. This system links fire alarm systems in facilities to the operations room of the General Directorate of Civil Defence and Saned's operations room, providing accurate data and indicators that contribute to the early detection of faults, with the goal of reducing response times to fire incidents. The first phase of the campaign focuses on buildings identified by Aman system reports as having technical malfunctions. Property owners and operators are being contacted and informed of the importance of adhering to periodic maintenance through companies approved by the Civil Defence, in order to ensure repairs are carried out and the efficiency of preventive systems is enhanced. Eng. Hamid Al Zarouni, Managing Director- Saned said: 'At Saned, we are committed to enhancing the efficiency of the public safety system in the Emirate of Sharjah through the early warning system 'Aman,' which stands as a top operational priority for us. It is considered one of the key pillars of the smart protection system implemented across buildings and facilities in Sharjah. The system plays a vital role in minimizing the risk and occurrence of fires by enabling rapid response from rescue and firefighting teams at the Sharjah Civil Defence Authority, thereby helping to prevent human and material losses through early fire detection.' Al Zarouni added: 'Our ongoing partnership with the Sharjah Civil Defence Authority and the Sharjah Prevention and Safety Authority reflects our commitment to supporting government efforts in promoting proactive prevention practices and achieving the highest standards of safety and readiness to protect lives and property. It also contributes to building a safe and sustainable environment in the Emirate of Sharjah.' He also urged property owners, developers, and management and operations companies to swiftly contract with qualified and approved service providers to carry out and continue preventive maintenance operations, ensuring the protection of lives and assets. The Joint Committee affirmed that the campaign will continue across the emirate without a specified timeframe, and will be accompanied by ongoing performance evaluation and analysis to measure improvements in response times and system efficiency. The "Aman" system connects fire alarm systems in facilities directly to the operations room of the General Directorate of Civil Defence and Saned's operations center. This enables immediate notification in the event of a fire within a facility. The system employs advanced technology to accurately pinpoint fire locations upon occurrence and promptly alert the relevant emergency response teams. It is worth noting that Saned Facilities Management is a subsidiary of Sharjah Asset Management Company, the investment arm of the Government of Sharjah.
Arabian Business
01-04-2025
- General
- Arabian Business
Saudi Arabia issues swimming pool warning
Saudi Arabia has issued a swimming pool safety warning and advised safety precautions in public and private places. The General Directorate of Civil Defence called for caution regarding swimming pool accidents at homes and public venues frequented by citizens and residents. It emphasised the importance of preventing children and individuals who cannot swim from approaching pools, following safety guidelines, and adhering to official instructions shared through various media and social platforms to ensure public safety. The directorate stressed the necessity of providing safety equipment such as life rings and non-slip surfaces around pool edges. It warned against leaving children unattended in pools, recommending the installation of fences to prevent unauthorised access. It also advised placing ladders in pool corners for easier entry and exit and suggested using alarm systems to detect any objects falling into the water. Follow us on For all the latest business news from the UAE and Gulf countries, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube page, which is updated daily.
Daily Tribune
13-02-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Bangladesh Embassy Mourns Loss of Life in Building Collapse
TDT | Manama The Embassy of Bangladesh in the Kingdom of Bahrain has expressed its deepest sorrow and condolences following the tragic collapse of a two-story building in Arad on February 12, 2025. The catastrophe resulted in the untimely death of a Bangladeshi national, Mr. Shymol Chandra Shill, whose life was claimed in what is believed to have been a devastating gas cylinder explosion. The loss of Mr. Shill, a hardworking barber and a resident of the building's shared apartments, has left both his family and the broader Bangladeshi community in Bahrain in mourning. The Embassy, in a statement, shared its profound sympathy for the grieving family, offering thoughts and prayers as they navigate this painful loss. "Words cannot fully express the sorrow we feel for the loss of Mr. Shymol Chandra Shill," said the Embassy's representative. "Our hearts go out to his family during this unimaginable time." The Embassy, in collaboration with Bahraini authorities, is ensuring that all necessary steps are taken to repatriate Mr. Shill's body to Bangladesh by the beginning of next week, along with any of his belongings that were undamaged in the tragedy. The Labour Welfare Wing is working tirelessly to expedite the clearance process, and Embassy officials were quickly dispatched to the site of the incident to gather information and coordinate assistance. In a show of solidarity, the Embassy has maintained constant communication with Bahraini officials and Mr. Shill's sponsor, while also reaching out to his family back in Bangladesh to provide support and condolences. While this incident has left an indelible mark of grief, there is some solace in the fact that a number of Bangladeshi tenants, who were also residing in the building, managed to escape the collapse. However, they have been left with nothing, having lost all their possessions in the disaster. The Embassy has pledged to provide these survivors with the necessary assistance, including the issuance of new passports, financial support, and essential supplies such as food and clothing. The Embassy is determined to ease their suffering and help them rebuild their lives in the aftermath of this tragedy. In addition to supporting the victims, the Bangladesh Embassy has been in close contact with the building's owner and the General Directorate of Civil Defence to obtain further details about the cause of the collapse and the ongoing investigation. In the face of such a devastating event, the Embassy has reaffirmed its commitment to standing by its citizens in Bahrain, offering heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. Shymol Chandra Shill, and to all those affected by this unfortunate incident. The Embassy has also extended its gratitude to the Bahraini authorities for their swift and coordinated response, which has been vital in dealing with the aftermath of this catastrophe. As the community mourns, the Embassy remains resolute in its dedication to ensuring that justice is served and that support is offered to those who need it most during this dark time.
