- Dubai Civil Defence has reported a global decline in fire incidents
- This follows the rollout of its flagship Billion Readiness initiative
- According to officials, the programme has expanded across 59 countries
Dubai Civil Defence has reported a global decline in fire incidents following the rollout of its flagship Billion Readiness initiative, with officials saying the programme is already surpassing expectations less than a year after its launch.
Lieutenant Colonel Dr Issa Ahmed Al Mutawa, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for the Smart Services Sector at Dubai Civil Defence, said the initiative was designed to educate and train one billion people worldwide within four years.
Early results indicate it has already reached more than half a billion people, significantly exceeding initial projections.
According to officials, the programme has expanded across 59 countries, operating in more than 25 languages and delivered through 68 international awareness campaigns. These efforts have generated over 250 million digital interactions, highlighting what authorities describe as strong global engagement with fire and life safety education.
The initiative’s impact has also translated into measurable improvements on the ground. Fire incidents worldwide have dropped by 18 per cent, while emergency response times have improved by 24 per cent. Officials said human losses have been reduced by 25 per cent, equating to around 45,000 lives saved annually.
Material damage has also declined, with losses reduced by 20 per cent. Authorities said these are losses avoided, allowing resources to be redirected towards long-term development rather than recovery.
Al Mutawa said the results underline the importance of investing in awareness, training and international cooperation. He stressed that the achievements were not the work of a single country but the outcome of coordinated global efforts, adding that safety requires sustained action rather than rhetoric.
The wider UAE approach to fire safety has also been reflected at emirate level. In Sharjah, authorities this year strengthened prevention and response capabilities through new partnerships and training programmes aligned with international standards. Officials said such initiatives complement global efforts like Billion Readiness by reinforcing preparedness at both local and international levels.
Dubai Civil Defence said it will continue expanding the programme as it works towards its target of reaching one billion people, with a focus on deepening community awareness and enhancing emergency readiness worldwide.
