Dubai Police adopt DRE project to strengthen preparedness and improve efficiency of emergency response

The General Headquarters of Dubai Police has approved the Disaster Rescue Equipment (DRE) project to develop and upgrade its fleet of heavy rescue vehicles and specialized marine craft.

This strategic initiative aims to strengthen readiness to respond to the impacts of climate change, natural disasters, and major incidents. By accelerating emergency response times, the project will help protect lives and property while reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global model for security, safety, and crisis and disaster management.

The project includes the procurement and development of specialised rescue vehicles and marine craft to enhance rescue teams’ operational capabilities across a wide range of emergencies, including tropical weather events, floods, flash floods, and landslides. It will also enable teams to reach disaster-stricken areas that are difficult to access with conventional equipment.

The project’s approval forms part of Dubai Police’s ongoing efforts to build an integrated emergency response system. These efforts focus on leveraging advanced technology and specialised equipment, improving the efficiency of field operations, and strengthening the capacity to manage complex incidents and challenges posed by extreme weather.

Brigadier Pilot Ali Mohammed Faraj Al Muhairi, Director of the General Department of Transport and Rescue, affirmed that the adoption of the Disaster Rescue Equipment (DRE) project reflects the Dubai Police’s proactive vision to enhance operational capabilities and preparedness for future challenges, particularly the potential impacts of climate change and associated extreme weather events.

He added that climate change and the resulting severe weather, flooding, and flash floods require continuous development of field capabilities and investment in advanced rescue equipment and machinery.

These investments ensure rapid access to those affected and enable teams to respond to diverse conditions efficiently and professionally, in line with Dubai Police’s enduring priority of protecting lives and ensuring the safety of all members of society.

Brigadier Khaled Al Hammadi, Deputy Director of the General Department of Transport and Rescue, explained that the project marks a significant step forward in strengthening the capabilities of Dubai Police rescue teams. By providing specialised vehicles and boats, it equips teams to respond to a wide range of emergencies, from flooded areas to rugged terrain affected by landslides, and to conduct evacuations, rescue operations, debris removal, and the recovery of stranded vehicles. These capabilities help reduce response times, improve the efficiency of field operations, and minimise loss of life and damage to property.

The project involves developing a fleet of heavy-duty rescue vehicles capable of navigating challenging terrain and disaster-affected areas. The fleet includes specialized trucks with four-wheel and six-wheel drive systems, designed to deliver exceptional performance in demanding environments.

These vehicles are engineered to reach locations inaccessible to conventional transport, traverse floodwaters, and overcome a range of obstacles. They can also be fitted with specialized equipment to lift debris, clear obstructions, and recover stranded vehicles, opening access routes for emergency teams and accelerating the rescue of people trapped in hazardous conditions.

To strengthen the response to floods and flash floods, the project also includes specialized boats for rescue and evacuation operations. These vessels provide access to people stranded in flooded areas that cannot be reached by land-based vehicles.

The boats support rapid deployment, extend the geographical reach of rescue teams, and enable safe evacuations during extreme weather, strengthening Dubai Police’s ability to respond to simultaneous emergencies across multiple locations.