State-of-the-art appliances to tackle fires in high-rise buildings are to be bought by Dubai Civil Defence this year as part of a Dh300 million upgrade of its services.

“We will use the money to buy world-class equipment for use in rescue operations, especially in high-rise buildings,” said Director-General Brigadier Rashid Thani Al Matrooshi.

“We have already invested more than Dh150m to acquire the most advanced technologies such as new vehicles and fire-fighting equipment. And considering the scale of development in Dubai, we will double our investment this year so we can keep pace with the rising safety requirements.”

Al Matrooshi said the department would launch its 2007-2015 strategic plan at the Intersec Middle East security and safety conference to be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre from Sunday until January 15.

“The plan covers the development of Dubai’s civil defence infrastructure. It will include constructing new fire stations, introducing modern engines and equipment and building partnerships with companies in all economic sectors to ensure high safety standards.

“High-rise buildings concern civil defence authorities around the world because the common humanitarian objective is to save lives.

“Reaching fire victims who are trapped in the higher levels of tall buildings out of the range of hoses is one of the issues that civil defence organisations and fire equipment manufacturers are trying to address. But the main solutions we depend on are advanced automatic firefighting and direct alarm systems that stop the spread of fire and smoke through a building,” said Al Matrooshi

Dr Mohammed bin Fahad, Director-General of Dubai Police Academy, said security and economic progress in the city went hand in hand - better security led to improved economic conditions and was a direct catalyst for development.

The security exhibition, which is being held for the tenth time, will showcase products and services in four categories - commercial security, fire and rescue, homeland security and policing, and safety and health.

There will be outdoor demonstrations from exhibitors and Dubai Civil Defence. Seminars will be held on the management of disasters, construction site safety and fire and rescue service organisation. Other topics will include training for operations in a major gas terminals, planning and training for a co-ordinated response to disasters and new safety initiatives in towers.

Angela Schierholz of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, show organiser, said: “The event offers exhibitors a tremendous opportunity to capitalise on the ever-growing security market in the region.

“In the past eight years $277 billion (Dh1 trillion) has been allocated to defence and security systems and equipment globally. Within the UAE the growth is expected to be about 25 per cent over the next five years.”