Abu Dhabi Hosts Second Centres Of Excellence Conference Focusing On First Responder Agility And Resilience

Rabdan Academy is hosting the second Centres of Excellence 2024 Conference in Abu Dhabi on 30th-31st October. The event will focus on "Agility and Resilience of First Responders." It aims to enhance cooperation at various levels in fire management, counterterrorism, and safety. Experts will discuss developments and challenges in artificial intelligence, terrorism response, and critical infrastructure protection.

The conference is supported by strategic stakeholders. Platinum sponsors include the Ministry of Defence, National Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Authority, National Guard Command, Abu Dhabi Police, and Abu Dhabi Civil Defence Authority. Gold sponsors are the Tawazun Council and Abu Dhabi Airports. Jaheziya is a Silver sponsor, while the Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management Centre - Abu Dhabi is a Bronze sponsor.

Panel discussions will cover strategic needs like volunteer firefighter programmes and decision-making in high-risk settings. Innovations in firefighting on warships and crisis management will also be addressed. These discussions aim to align with the UAE’s vision of enhancing national resilience.

James Anthony Morse, President of Rabdan Academy, highlighted the conference's role in developing skilled cadres in safety, defence, and crisis management. He stated that "the conference builds synergy across entities to strengthen first responders’ capabilities, ensuring a swift response to emergencies."

Ali Rashid Al Neyadi from NCEMA emphasised their commitment to a unified national emergency response. He noted the importance of initiatives that enhance first responder resilience and emergency coordination among partners at all levels.

Brigadier-General Ahmed Hassan Al Zaabi reiterated the National Guard’s dedication to collaborative emergency response efforts. Muammar Abdulla Abushehab from Tawazun Council mentioned their support for partnerships advancing innovation in security and safety.

Ahmed Saif bin Zaitoon Al Muhairi from Abu Dhabi Police affirmed the significance of such events for improving safety and preparedness for emergencies. Brigadier Salem bin Barak Al Dhaheri stressed the importance of knowledge-sharing for preventive safety measures.

Sultan Al Dhaheri from Abu Dhabi Airports added that integrating global best practices helps anticipate risks to traveller safety and strategic facility security. This integration supports enhanced emergency response capabilities.

The conference aims to foster collaboration among industry experts to address challenges in safety and crisis management effectively. By bringing together key stakeholders, it seeks to improve first responders' agility and resilience through shared knowledge and innovative solutions.

With inputs from WAM