As the exclusive provider of fire and rescue services to the UAE Air Force and Air Defence, ERS’s services range from complete management and high-level consultancy, to the development and 24/7 operation of fire stations, vehicles and equipment, installation of fire detection systems, and emergency planning as well as firefighter recruitment and training. Talal Al Hashmi, Managing Director, ERS, tells us how it has evolved into a regional leader in fire and rescue. Excerpts from the interview:
ERS provides comprehensive training and development for operational firefighters, in compliance with the latest International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, across a range of exacting scenarios.
Talal Al Hashmi, Managing Director, ERS
Talal Al Hashmi is the Managing Director of ERS. In his role, he provides expertise and knowledge transfer to clients in the Defence, Government, Health, and Education sectors. As Managing Director, he oversees strategic and technical initiatives to provide firefighting services, such as 24/7 aviation emergency response services, internationally recognised fire and rescue training services, facility fire safety, and maintenance services for specialsed firefighting vehicles and equipment.
Security services have become more sophisticated globally and emergency response has become increasingly critical. As a leading providerof integrated frontline fire and rescue services, how do you assess the present systems and technologies used in the industry? What are the challenges ahead?
As our cities become ever more integrated and advanced, and our security services more sophisticated, our region requires a world-class emergency response to keep pace. Training in fire inspections, pre-emergency planning, community risk assessment, and reporting on findings, isbecoming increasingly critical to prevent loss of life, injuries, protect assetsand maintain control over situations thatcould escalate in no time.
Because emergencies and disasters can strike at any moment the challenge for any emergency response provider in the future is to ensure more scientific methods of forecasting – in operational planning,as well as in engagement during emergencies and disasters.At ERS, we respond to that need throughdata gathering, analysis, pre-planning and regularly testing of the plans to provide reliable and effective fire and rescue services to the UAE Armed Forces.
Over the last one decade ERS has evolved as provider of comprehensive and turnkey solutions in fire and rescue services. What are some of your services and who are your clients?
Over the years, ERS has evolved into a regional leader in fire and rescue, working on behalf of major clients in the UAE’s government, military and commercial sectors. Today, our substantial on ground presence and proven capabilities enable ERS to offer our clientsin-depth strength and expertise throughconsistently applying industry best practices. As the exclusive provider of fire and rescue services to the UAE Air Force and Air Defence, ERS’s services range from complete managementand high-level consultancy, to the development and 24/7 operation of fire stations, vehicles and equipment, installation of fire detection systems, and emergency planning as well as firefighter recruitment and training. ERS presently provides services to the Joint Logistics Command which includes UAE Presidential Guard, UAE Air Force &Air Defenceand UAE Joint Aviation Command.
What are the technical services offered by ERS to ensure the readiness of firefighting assets of the customers?
ERS offers comprehensive, integrated turnkey solutions, as well as specialist equipment and vehicles, facilities management, manpower,training and procurement – all conforming to the most stringent international standards. With a global reach that gives us access to a pool of multinational subject-matter experts, ERS consistently applies industry best practices to enable end-users to outsource the emergency response function confidently.
The effectiveness of firefighting and rescue services partially depends on the efficiency of the personnel involved and ERS has been delivering comprehensive training and professional development programmes. Could you elaborate more on this?
ERS works relentlessly to ensure frontline fire safety for our clients.In addition to advanced technologies and best practices to save lives, world-class emergency firefighting and rescue services also depend on the effectiveness of the firefighters deployed. To ensure this, we provide comprehensive training and development for new and existing operational firefighters, in compliance with the latest International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, across a range of exacting scenarios, conductedby a team of senior trainers with regional and international firefighting experience. This training includes hazardous materials response, domestic firefighting and fire officer training and development.
We also offer fire inspection and prevention training to help reduce the risk of fire. Our fire safety services are conducted in line with the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice and other internationally recognised benchmarks such as the NFPA. In addition, our fully qualified team of fire safety professionals can apply their direct experience of working with international organisationsinensuring compliance to thesestandards.
What goals and objectiveshave you set for the company in the coming years?
ERS is working to become an international centre of excellence for the provision of fire and rescue services in the short term.In the years to come, the company seeks to set benchmarks for emergency fire response in the UAE. One of our long-term development and engagement plans isto commit to enhancelocal expertise and meet Emiratisation targets, with the support ofour regional and international talent.
