Dubai International Airport is possibly the only one in the world to achieve a Category 10 ICAO rating for its fire safety services, with the rating coming into effect from September 1.

The Department of Civil Aviation has invested Dh16 million in the last three years to get the Category 10 rating.

The investments include five new state-of-the-art Rosenbauer fire tenders, a new upgraded control room with the latest touch screen alarm monitoring system and an ultra high pressure firefighting system.

The new alarm monitoring system enables all incoming alarms to be acted upon with minimum delay. It includes a group call system which sends out pre-recorded messages in English and Arabic to all people concerned in an emergency.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) and Chairman of Emirates Group, recently visited the airport fire station and reviewed the developments.

Sheikh Ahmed said: "Safety is a priority at any airport. It is a proud moment for the Department of Civil Aviation to have achieved this.

"With the new generation of aircraft soon coming into operation - such as the A380 - ICAO has set down very strict and tough regulations in order to meet such aircraft. We have planned and attained this well in advance. Every airport that will be receiving the A380 has to be Category 10."

Currently there are three fire stations located at Dubai International Airport. This is expected to go up to five by 2006.

Mohammad Ahli, DCA director, Operations, said: "Dubai International Airport is not only among the fastest growing airports, it is also among the top ten airports in the world today. We have set out new standards in safety by reaching Category 10.

"Now it is important to us that we maintain a very high standard in all our services and facilities. We aim to remain up-to-date with all our firefighting technology and provide the best possible service for our customers in terms of equipment and trained personnel."