Sharjah: Sharjah Civil Defence Authority (SCDA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) have announced a strategic alliance aimed at improving fire and life safety across the emirate of Sharjah. The partnership was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the Intersec Dubai 2026 event, marking a significant step forward in the enhancement of safety systems in the region.
According to Emirates News Agency, the MoU was signed by Brigadier Yousif Obaid Al Shamsi, Director-General of Sharjah Civil Defence Authority, and Jim Pauley, president and CEO at NFPA. This collaboration prioritizes the development of education and training programs for fire and life safety professionals, leveraging NFPA's global expertise and extensive resources. The initiative will utilize more than 300 fire codes and standards, along with insights from the NFPA Fire and Life Safety Ecosystem, to create safety standards tailored to Sharjah's specific needs.
Brigadier Yousif Obaid Al Shamsi emphasized the importance of fire and life safety at SCDA, stating their commitment to safeguarding the well-being of the community. He highlighted the alliance with NFPA as a means to leverage their 130 years of experience in managing fire and electrical risks, ensuring that professionals in Sharjah are equipped with the latest knowledge and tools aligned with global standards.
Jim Pauley, president and CEO of NFPA, underscored the ongoing threat of fire in urban areas, particularly in rapidly developing regions like Sharjah. He expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with SCDA to enhance the training and education of fire and life safety professionals, aiming to strengthen the awareness and implementation of relevant codes and standards, thereby aligning Sharjah's safety practices with global benchmarks.
This collaboration is timely as Sharjah intensifies efforts to mitigate fire safety risks in high-rise buildings. In 2024, under the directive of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the Emirate initiated a project to replace hazardous cladding materials with fire-resistant alternatives, funded by the government with a budget of AED100 million.
The alliance between SCDA and NFPA is set to complement such initiatives, providing technical expertise and global best practices to support Sharjah's commitment to proactive and standards-driven fire and life safety advancements.
