Abu Dhabi Civil Defence uses firefighting robot to control fire

by Middle East - Products

Abu Dhabi Civil Defence General Authority recently deployed a remote control system, TAF35 Firefighting Robot to control fire.

The authority explained that the robot pumps large quantities of water from 1500 litres to 4,500 litres per minute in the regular system and water spray system. It can also be used to pull weights up to 3.8 tons and is characterised by the presence of a bulldozer at the front.

Reports have stated that the TAF35 has been used to put out various types of fires in industrial areas and tunnels, and closed parking spaces with remote control technology with a distance of no more than 500 metres, as it manoeuvres in fire accident sites and progress to the direct fire line, pumping large amounts of water and providing protection to firefighters at the sites.

The robot has played a leading role in the national disinfection programme to combat coronavirus in coordination with the relevant authorities and the first line of defence.

Last year, the General Directorate of Civil Defence Abu Dhabi has carried out a practical experiment to use the drone to douse a fire in a tower under construction by Hydra Real Estate Company in Al Reem Island.

Brigadier Mohammed Ibrahim Al Ameri, Deputy Director General of Civil Defence Abu Dhabi, stressed the importance of using modern and advanced methods in the fight against fires and when dealing with accidents and emergencies, which contributes to boost in security and safety.

The drone has two main characteristics of extinguishing, namely the use of chemical powder and extinguishing method using the projectile directly at the fire.

Russia helps Turkey in fight against forest fires

by Middle East - Projects

The Russian government has loaned two Beriev Be-200 seaplanes to Turkey to help the country’s fight against forest fires. Planes staffed with Russian crews will be on duty in Antalya, Izmir and Bodrum, two cities and a town that have been gripped with forest fires in the past years.

Turkish media outlets reported that Turkey’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry sought assistance from Russia for the prevention of forest fires and in extinguishing them. Be-200 seaplanes are already in use against forest fires in several countries, including France, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Indonesia and Israel.

Statistics released by the government show that many of the forest fires in Turkey begin due to lack of care for the forests demonstrated by people who randomly dump garbage in wooded areas, leaving flammable materials behind. Last year, 11,332 hectares (28,000 acres) of forest were lost to fires. Firefighters fought 2,688 forest fires last year. Figures by the General Directorate of Forestry (OGM) show that the cause of a majority of them was undetermined, but 883 fires stemmed from “negligence,” while 372 were sparked by natural causes. Another 124 fires were the result of arson, according to the investigations. Negligence led to the devastation of 6,529 hectares of forest.

The government, meanwhile, stepped up its fight against forest fires by providing better firefighting equipment to firefighters, including thousands of new boots and fire trucks, while it rented 30 firefighting helicopters to aid efforts to contain fires.

From 2015 to 2019, firefighters battled an average of 2,521 fires each year while gradually increasing their response time, which currently stands at 12 minutes.