Dubai's AI-Powered Fire Warning System Helps More Than One Million People

Warning System Uses AI Technology

Dubai Civil Defence has revolutionised fire safety alerts using cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology. By analysing six years' worth of fire incident data, the authority can predict and pinpoint areas most susceptible to blazes. Through the Dubai Readiness Programme, launched earlier this year, residents living in fire-prone "red zones" with a history of high fire rates are identified. To ensure the message reaches all members of Dubai's multicultural society, awareness videos have been generated in 198 languages.

Capt. Essa Al Mutawa, director of the control and monitoring department at Dubai Civil Defence, explained that the AI system analyses fire data and generates personalised text messages and awareness videos with a single click.

The goal is to educate people in their own language about common behaviours that often lead to fires. Alerts are sent to residents living in "red zones" with the highest number of recorded fires. Special attention is given to targeted messages during the cooler winter months, as camping fires tend to increase during this time.

Will Alert People Residing In High Rise Buildings

Dubai Civil Defence also collaborates with telecommunications companies Etisalat and Du to deliver alerts to people residing in high-rise buildings. These efforts are particularly crucial during festive seasons such as Diwali, when candles, fireworks, and lights pose additional fire risks.

The AI-powered system has identified several main causes of fires, including smoking indoors or on balconies, improper storage of flammable materials in industrial areas, gas leaks, electrical faults, and the use of firewood or coal for heating purposes.

The recent Leaders in Fire Safety Conference held in Dubai highlighted these advancements. Lt. Gen. Rashid Al Matrooshi, director general of Dubai Civil Defence, even appeared as an avatar in a special AI-generated video to welcome delegates. At the conference, Dubai Civil Defence signed an agreement with the Institution of Fire Engineers to establish a global platform for sharing best practices and lessons learned from previous fire incidents.

By harnessing the power of AI, Dubai has joined the global effort to enhance fire safety. With proactive measures, including targeted alerts and multilingual awareness campaigns, the authorities aim to raise the level of preventive awareness among the community, ultimately fostering a safer environment for all residents and visitors.