His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mansoor bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai's Supreme Committee of Crisis and Disaster Management, oversaw the signing of a cooperation agreement between the General Directorate of Dubai Civil Defense and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the largest firefighting association based in the United States of America. The agreement was officially inked by His Excellency Lieutenant General Expert Rashid Thani Al Matrooshi, Director-General of DCD, and Jim Pauley, President of the National Fire Protection Association. The signing took place in the presence of Deputy Directors General and a group of officers and department directors within the Directorate.

This significant event occurred during His Highness Sheikh Mansoor Bin Mansoor bin Mohammed's visit to the General Directorate of Dubai Civil Defense headquarters, where he had the opportunity to review the Directorate's latest initiatives and projects. His Highness expressed admiration for the Directorate's advanced technological capabilities and its global competitiveness, highlighting the high-quality services provided by Dubai Civil Defense, as well as its commitment to upholding prestigious international standards.

Furthermore, His Highness witnessed the appointment of Major Essa Ahmed Al Mutawa as the Chairman of the Advisory Committee and a judge on the judging committee for the International Security and Safety Exhibition. He also inaugurated Information Security Specialist Alia Omar Bin Touq as the Vice Chairman of the Advisory Council. These appointments served as a testament to the global recognition of the excellence of the Emirati staff and their valuable contributions to the success of international efforts across various critical sectors.

His Highness's visit included a look at Dubai Civil Defense's future plan, which incorporates specialized strategies for sustainable infrastructure, innovative developments in civil defense industries within Dubai, the provision of competitive services, and the talent strategy known as "997." All of these elements collectively contribute to the realization of the competitive strategy for the years 2023-2026, intending to achieve the highest levels of safety and security in the Emirate of Dubai.

The key points of the 2026 agenda of change included transforming Dubai Civil Defense into a global reference for best practices and innovations in the realm of safety, the establishment of sustainable and advanced infrastructure, digital preparedness for the future, And a highly flexible and exemplary response to risks and crises. Furthermore, this includes smart, sustainable safety structures and specialized equipment labeled as "Made in Dubai," in addition to an ambitious, competitive strategy to position Dubai as the world's leading city regarding safety.

The strategic context for Dubai Civil Defense (DCD) 2026 also encompasses effective emergency response, safety, risk protection, leadership, competitiveness, the well-being of concerned group, and the efficient utilization of resources.

Dubai Civil Defense aims to achieve its strategic objectives, sustain economic growth, and attract investors and tourists, all while enhancing the emirate's leadership and competitiveness on the global stage. During the visit, His Highness was briefed on some of the critical transformative smart initiatives in Dubai Civil Defense, including the Dubai Civil Defense Preparedness Program, the Smart Environmental Readiness Program, and the digital transformation of incident management.

His Highness was also given an update on the primary performance metrics, wherein Dubai Civil Defense demonstrated remarkable enhancements in performance and attained outstanding and globally competitive outcomes. This includes achievements in reducing the incidence of fire incidents, fatalities, and injuries per 100,000 individuals. Furthermore, the results of the National Quality of Life Strategy survey for firefighting services 2022 were also considered.

The visit also included meetings with the children of civil defense martyrs, who warmly welcomed His Highness. They all take immense pride in the noble legacy and sacrifices of their fathers in service to the nation.

As part of the festivities organized by the General Directorate of Dubai Civil Defense to commemorate 'Emirati Women's Day,' a significant national occasion dedicated to celebrating and acknowledging the essential roles played by women in the UAE, this year's celebration adopts the theme 'Working Together for the Future.' This theme aligns with the guidance of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, affectionately known as the 'Mother of the Emirates.' She holds positions as the Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and the Family Development Foundation.

The event was held under the patronage and in the presence of His Excellency Major General Jamal bin Aded Al Muhairi, who currently serves as the Acting Director General of Civil Defense in Dubai.

The event featured various initiatives aimed at supporting women, as well as diverse cultural and heritage presentations that received favorable feedback from the audience. Towards the conclusion of the ceremony, special recognition was given to a group of exceptional female employees, including retirees, who had left a distinct mark during their service within the organization.

The Dubai Civil Defense General Directorate has concluded its participation in the "Little Firefighter" event, which was conducted from June 26 to August 27 as part of Dubai Summer 2023 activities at Modhesh World of Entertainment. The purpose of this event was to instill a culture of fire safety and prevention in children through a variety of educational activities, awareness competitions, engaging and purposeful entertainment, interactive programs, and educational initiatives. More than 1,257 children have benefited from the "Little Firefighter" event at Modhesh World of Entertainment since the beginning of Dubai Summer 2023.

In addition, the Director of Government Communication Department at the General Directorate of Dubai Civil Defense, Dr. Ahmed Youssef Al-Shanqiti, emphasized the Directorate's commitment to establishing a strong communication and engagement with the public, encompassing all segments of society. The importance of putting children at the center of our community-focused events and providing them with comprehensive support cannot be overstated. These occasions serve as strategic communication centers with future generations, thereby ensuring the longevity of our safety systems. The ultimate objective is to make every child the center of a secure community within their families, realizing the vision of Dubai Civil Defense to place the United Arab Emirates at the forefront of global efforts to achieve security and safety.