Fire fighting, safety and rescue concerns will be debated and highlighted at an upcoming trade event in Dubai.

The twelfth edition of Intersec will take place from January 17 to 19, 2010, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. Intersec 2010 will showcase the latest technologies and apparatus in commercial and IT security, homeland security and policing, fire and rescue, as well as safety and health. 

“The high number of fire incidents in the country, causing significant losses in life and property, has sparked a series of emergency response procedures and exercises from the regional authorities, organisations and experts,” said Elisabeth Brehl, managing director of Epoc Messe Frankfurt, organisers of Intersec 2010.

“The Gulf region is one of the most challenging markets for the industry of fire fighting, fire prevention and rescue worldwide,” Brehl added.

“Major investments in infrastructure, construction and industry sectors have raised the bar for fire and safety – on site and in commercial and residential buildings.”

A poll of 17,200 trade-only visitors attending Intersec 2009 revealed that 26.9 per cent of visitors were interested in fire safety equipment, 24.7 per cent in fire fighting equipment, 23.7 per cent in intruder and fire alarms, 11.3 per cent in passive and active fire protection and 9.3 per cent in rescue equipment and techniques.

The Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Directorate has inspected 5,300 buildings so far this year, including 1,105 residential properties, and the vast majority were found to have poor fire equipment, lacked smoke alarms, had faulty central gas systems or had inaccessible emergency exits, said a statement.

At Intersec 2010, an elite team of Emirati fire fighters will be competing in the first UAE International Firefit Championship. Fire fighters from Canada and all seven Emirates will compete against each other, in six categories relating to fire fighting and rescue, in a three day challenge running alongside the trade event.

“The Intersec trade fair and conference is an established meeting place for leading professionals, equipment suppliers, civil defence officials, security and fire control experts, and safety and fire fighting equipment companies in the Middle East. Hence, an ideal venue for a global competition such as the UAE International Firefit Championship,” said Brehl.

In the UAE this year, a total of 1,543 fires occurred, causing 30 deaths and 115 injuries across the country, according to the statement. – TradeArabia News Service