Fire safety conference to launch in Abu Dhabi

Event will be held between October 30 and November 2.

Powered by automated translation

DUBAI // An annual fire safety conference will be launched in the capital later this year.

Video:Fatal fire kills mother and son in Al Ain

Husam Mohammed, a Jordanian neighbour of the Shaheen family, was witness to the tragic house fire in which a young mother and her son were killed in May this year.

The conference, Fire and Rescue Middle East, aims to be a one-stop shop for fire service professionals seeking both expert guidance and the latest fire fighting equipment. It will be held between October 30 and November 2.

"The issue of fire safety is an issue which is growing in the UAE and is being taken very seriously by the civil defence," said Neil Wallington, the conference organiser and former international president of the Institution of Fire Engineers.

"Conferences like this have normally tackled different issues piecemeal. Here we are looking at the whole spectrum, from the design of buildings running right through to the organisation and efficiency of fire brigades."

The Civil Defence launched a home fire safety programme late last year, which involved officials travelling to homes in the country to raise awareness.

Spreading such a message was crucially important, said Mr Wallington.

"Taking the fire safety message out to people face-to-face is a very welcome step and will undoubtedly pay benefits," he said.