In Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s federal government announced a new law that creates the Federal Authority for Ambulance and Civil Defence. President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan signed the decree, and the ministry of Health and Prevention has named Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh as the authority’s chairman.
The new authority will have its own legal identity, budget, and operating budget. It will report directly to the Cabinet and will take over the ambulance duties that were previously handled by the Civil Defence Authority and the National Guard Command.
What the authority will do:
* Lead all ambulance services across the UAE and plan new policies and strategies for emergency medical care.
* Study potential incidents, disasters, and risks, and publish plans to manage them with the National Emergency, Crisis, and Disasters Management Authority.
* Draft risk‑prevention programmes, fire‑safety systems, and building‑security controls, and submit those plans to the Cabinet for approval.
* Operate a nationwide alert system to warn the public about hazards and create evacuation and shelter plans for residents.
* Coordinate with oil companies, airports, and other key facilities to produce joint emergency plans and give support when needed.
* Run training, mock drills, and joint exercises for ambulance crews, volunteers, and civil‑defence teams.
* Monitor radiological, chemical, and biological threats and coordinate responses with other authorities.
The decree sets these powers in sharp relief with local governments, but it clarifies that local authorities still have the right to carry out ambulance and civil‑defence actions under their own laws.
This move signals the UAE’s push to strengthen emergency response and protect its citizens with a single, focused agency that handles ambulance services, civil defence, disaster risk management, and public safety education.
Source: aninews
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