Arab States fire simulation examines preparedness at petroleum facility
Iain Hoey
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Preparedness tested in Radès simulation
A regional workshop on fire risk prevention included a large-scale simulation at a high-risk petroleum facility in Radès from 6 to 8 April.
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for Arab States said the workshop was organised by the Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in collaboration with Tunisia’s civil protection authorities.
The exercise tested inter-agency coordination and emergency response systems.
Participants applied preventive planning frameworks in a realistic operational setting.
The simulation was also used to identify gaps in preparedness and response.
Workshop sessions examined fire risk management in complex urban and industrial systems.
Discussions covered artificial intelligence and predictive tools in fire risk analysis.
Participants also reviewed engineering standards, international best practices, emergency management and business continuity planning.
Regional cooperation and preventive planning
According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction – Regional Office for Arab States, the workshop also focused on regional cooperation, innovation and institutional coordination in fire risk management.
Participants discussed smart systems for early detection and monitoring.
They also examined predictive modelling for risk assessment and analysis, alongside systems linking safety, infrastructure and operations.
The workshop highlighted coordination between civil protection authorities, municipalities and infrastructure operators.
Discussions also addressed institutional capacity, training systems and awareness across sectors.
Raidan Alsaqqaf, Deputy Chief of Office at the United Nations Disaster Risk Reduction Office for Arab States (UNDRR ROAS), said: “What makes this workshop particularly impactful is the strong link between knowledge and practice.
“The simulation in Radès demonstrates that effective disaster risk reduction requires not only planning, but the ability to test systems, coordination, and readiness in real conditions.
“Across the Arab region, there is a growing recognition that investing in prevention, innovation, and coordination is essential to managing increasingly complex risks, particularly in critical infrastructure.”
Participants also called for wider use of preventive planning approaches, broader deployment of innovative technologies and stronger cross-sector coordination.
