Abu Dhabi launches National First Line of Defense Forum, Dh100 million training grants to boost emergency readiness

Abu Dhabi launched the 26th edition of the National First Line of Defense Forum on March 28 under the theme “Together for a Nation’s Readiness,” unveiling a Dh100 million package of specialised training grants aimed at boosting first responder readiness and emergency response capabilities across the UAE. The forum, organised by the National Unified and Integrated Training System for Readiness and Response and accredited by the European Center for Disaster Medicine and National Training (“Tadreeb”), introduced a unified operational and training model for mass casualty incident management and disaster response.

“This milestone reflects the UAE’s advanced infrastructure and expertise in delivering high-quality training programs,” said Professor Roberto Mugavero, President of the European Center for Disaster Medicine, as he announced the official accreditation of Abu Dhabi as the first licensed centre for emergency and disaster medical training in the Middle East and North Africa.

Context and programme details

Organisers say the forum brings together personnel from national medical institutions, ambulance services, civil defence, police, and other emergency and disaster response entities to implement a unified, internationally accredited methodology in collaboration with leading global training centres and universities. The new model combines theoretical education, practical application and high-fidelity simulation to support faster decision-making, improved resource allocation and coordinated cross-sector responses.

The Dh100 million in specialised training grants will fund internationally accredited programmes delivered in partnership with organisations including:

• American Disaster Foundation
• European Center for Disaster Medicine
• American College of Surgeons
• Prominent institutions in the United Kingdom

Officials said the programmes will cover emergency management, disaster preparedness and major incident response and are mandatory under national regulatory directives. Professor Mugavero highlighted Abu Dhabi’s role as “a regional and international hub for developing training curricula, advancing simulation-based programmes, and integrating artificial intelligence technologies into training,” reinforcing the emirate’s capacity to prepare response teams for a wide range of emergencies.

Dr. Adel Al Shammari Al Ajmi, CEO of the Zayed Giving Initiative, President of UAE Doctors Initiative and Head of the National Readiness and Response Program, described the forum as the result of an organised national effort to build an integrated training ecosystem that unites government, private and non-profit sectors. He emphasised that “first-line defence heroes represent the backbone of national health security,” and said investment in their training is a direct investment in community protection. The forum also honoured national professionals, training institutions, certified trainers and reserve and volunteer medical teams for their contributions to training quality and national capacity building.

Outlook

Organisers expect the accredited centre and the Dh100 million training grants to cement Abu Dhabi’s position as a regional hub for emergency and disaster medical training, enabling sustained collaboration with global academic partners and the development of specialised national academies. In parallel, First Abu Dhabi Bank launched a dedicated initiative to support frontline workers, offering preferential loan facilities, cashback rewards, flexible repayment options and services through 20 dedicated branches near key work sites to ensure faster and more tailored support for first-line personnel.