Abu Dhabi Hosts ‘Centres of Excellence’ Conference on First Responders
Abu Dhabi is hosting the second ‘Centres of Excellence’ 2024 Conference, organized by Rabdan Academy, on October 30 and 31. The event focuses on the theme “Agility and Resilience of First Responders” and aims to enhance cooperation in fire management, counterterrorism, and safety at local, regional, and global levels.
Industry experts will discuss developments in artificial intelligence, terrorism response, and critical infrastructure protection. Panel discussions will cover strategic needs, volunteer firefighter programs, decision-making in high-risk settings, and innovations in firefighting on warships and crisis management.
The conference is supported by key stakeholders, with Platinum sponsors including the Ministry of Defence, the National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, the National Guard Command, Abu Dhabi Police, and the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority. Gold sponsors are the Tawazun Council and Abu Dhabi Airports, with Jaheziya as Silver sponsor and the Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Centre – Abu Dhabi as Bronze sponsor.
James Anthony Morse, President of Rabdan Academy, emphasized the conference’s alignment with the UAE’s vision to enhance national resilience and develop skilled cadres in safety, defence, and crisis management. Ali Rashid Al Neyadi, Director-General of the National Emergency, Crisis, and Disaster Management Authority, highlighted the importance of initiatives to enhance first responder resilience and emergency coordination.
Brigadier-General Ahmed Hassan Al Zaabi, Deputy Commander of the National Guard, reiterated the National Guard’s dedication to collaborative emergency response efforts. Muammar Abdulla Abushehab, CEO of the Tawazun Council, noted the support for partnerships advancing innovation in security and safety. Ahmed Saif bin Zaitoon Al Muhairi, Director of Central Operations Sector at Abu Dhabi Police, affirmed the importance of such events in elevating safety and preparedness for emergencies.
Brigadier Salem bin Barak Al Dhaheri, Acting Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority, underscored the conference’s role in knowledge-sharing for preventive safety and enhanced emergency response capabilities. Sultan Al Dhaheri, Senior Vice President at Abu Dhabi Airports, added that the event supports the integration of global best practices to anticipate and mitigate risks to traveller safety and strategic facility security.
Doubts Revealed
Abu Dhabi -: Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates, a country in the Middle East. It is known for its modern architecture and rich culture.
Centres of Excellence -: Centres of Excellence are special places or organizations that focus on being the best in a particular area, like safety or technology. They aim to improve skills and knowledge in that field.
First Responders -: First responders are people like firefighters, police officers, and paramedics who are the first to arrive and help during emergencies like fires, accidents, or natural disasters.
Rabdan Academy -: Rabdan Academy is an educational institution in Abu Dhabi that provides training and education in safety, security, and emergency management.
Ministry of Defence -: The Ministry of Defence is a government department responsible for managing a country’s military and defense affairs. In India, it is similar to the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi.
Abu Dhabi Police -: Abu Dhabi Police is the law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining law and order in Abu Dhabi. They are similar to the police forces in Indian cities.
AI -: AI stands for Artificial Intelligence, which is the use of computers and machines to perform tasks that usually require human intelligence, like understanding language or recognizing images.
Terrorism -: Terrorism is the use of violence and threats to create fear, often for political reasons. It is a serious issue that affects many countries, including India.
Crisis Management -: Crisis management involves planning and responding to emergencies or difficult situations to minimize harm and recover quickly. It is important for keeping people safe during disasters.