On March 28, the 26th National First Line of Defense Forum officially opened in Abu Dhabi. The forum was hosted by the National Unified Integrated Preparedness and Response Training System under the supervision of the UAE National Medical and Volunteer Reserves, and the theme of the forum was “Together to Prepare the Nation”.“Endorsed by the European Center for Disaster Medicine and National Training, the event attracted broad participation from national health agencies, ambulance services, civil protection, police and emergency and disaster relief authorities.
AED 100 million in professional training grants
Under the strategic announcement, Dh100 million has been allocated for specialized training to support the capabilities of first responders. These internationally recognized programs will cover emergency management, disaster preparedness and major incident response. The courses will be delivered in partnership with global bodies such as the American Disaster Foundation, the European Center for Disaster Medicine, the American College of Surgeons and renowned organizations in the UK. They are mandatory under national regulatory directives.
First time in Abu Dhabi
Professor Roberto Mugavero, Chairman of the European Center for Disaster Medicine, announced that Abu Dhabi has officially received accreditation as the first licensed emergency and disaster medical training center in the Middle East and North Africa. He added that Abu Dhabi has consolidated its position as a regional and international hub for developing training courses, advancing simulation-based projects, and integrating artificial intelligence technology into training.
The 26th National First Line of Defense Forum
The launch of the 26th forum reflects the national strategic vision of strengthening national preparedness and establishing a comprehensive response system. As the regional situation continues to be tense and the war between Iran and the United States and Israel continues to escalate, countries in the Middle East have made emergency preparations in all aspects to ensure security and preparedness. Dr. Adel Al-Shammari Al Ajmi, CEO of the Zayed Giving Initiative, Chairman of the Emirates Doctors Initiative and Head of the National Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan, stressed that frontline defense heroes are the backbone of national health security. Investing in their training and empowerment is a direct investment in community protection, he added. The forum also recognized frontline defense heroes, including outstanding national professionals who have contributed to the design and administration of specialized training programmes. Training providers, certified trainers and reserve and volunteer medical teams were also recognized for the role they play in supporting local and international healthcare and community agencies.Furthermore, Ajmi noted that the forum is the culmination of organized efforts across the country to build an integrated training ecosystem that brings together the government, private and non-profit sectors through strategic partnerships.The forum is in line with the UAE’s national vision to establish a unified, integrated field management system at the operational level that combines theoretical education, practical applications and high-fidelity simulations. It also strengthens cooperation between the healthcare, security and service industries.
