“We stopped asking how buildings can withstand fire and started asking how they can fight it.”

Ahmed Al-Mansoori, Dubai’s former head of building safety.

Height rescue in Dubai is a highly specialized field shaped by the city’s unique urban landscape, featuring some of the tallest buildings in the world. Emergency responders are trained to navigate extreme vertical environments and harsh desert conditions, making rescue operations both technically and physically demanding.

To address these challenges, Dubai equips its teams with advanced technology, including jetpacks for rapid access to upper floors, drones for aerial assessments, and building-integrated systems like fireproof rescue pods, evacuation chairs, and real-time fire control centers. These innovations improve response time and safety in high-rise emergencies.

Modern high-rise buildings in Dubai are no longer designed only to withstand fire. Many are engineered to actively support emergency efforts. Some include self-contained refuge areas every 20 to 30 floors, equipped with independent air supplies, reinforced walls, and communication systems that continue to function even in the event of a power failure. These features are designed not just to protect occupants but to actively assist in fire containment and rescue coordination, turning the building into a partner in the emergency response.

Training is central to Dubai’s success in height rescue. At the Emirates Civil Defence Academy, firefighters and rescue personnel undergo intensive courses that simulate real-life skyscraper scenarios, focusing on rope rescue, vertical navigation, and emergency evacuation under pressure.

A milestone in 2024 marked the graduation of the UAE’s first all-women land rescue team, introduced by Dubai Police. While their primary role focuses on technical land rescues, their training allows them to support complex urban operations, including those involving high-rise structures. Their inclusion reflects Dubai’s commitment to diversity and excellence in emergency response.

Further reinforcing its global leadership, Dubai will host the World Rescue Challenge in 2027, welcoming top rescue teams from around the world. The competition will include realistic scenarios, many involving high-altitude and urban rescue missions, highlighting Dubai’s readiness and innovation in the field.

Through advanced training, smart infrastructure, and highly skilled teams, Dubai continues to set a global benchmark in height rescue and emergency preparedness.