Sharjah Civil Defence partners with NFPA on codes standards and training
Iain Hoey
Share this content
L-R_Jim Pauley, NFPA President & CEO and His Excellency Brigadier Yousif Obaid Al Shamsi, Director General of Sharjah Civil Defence Authority
Intersec Dubai 2026 hosts Sharjah and NFPA MoU signing
Sharjah Civil Defence Authority (SCDA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to form a strategic alliance aimed at improving fire and life safety in the Emirate of Sharjah.
The the MoU was signed during an official ceremony held at Intersec Dubai 2026.
The agreement was signed by His Excellency Brigadier Yousif Obaid Al Shamsi, Director General of Sharjah Civil Defence Authority, and Jim Pauley, president and CEO at the NFPA.
The alliance is intended to prioritise education and training programmes for fire and life safety professionals across the Emirate.
The collaboration will draw on the NFPA’s training resources and certification programmes, its more than 300 fire codes and standards, and the NFPA Fire and Life Safety Ecosystem.
These elements are expected to support the creation and refinement of safety standards tailored to Sharjah’s requirements.
Training programmes and high rise building risk
Al Shamsi said: “At Sharjah Civil Defence Authority, fire and life safety are paramount, and we remain committed to safeguarding the well-being of our people.
“By collaborating with NFPA, we aim to leverage their 130 years of expertise in managing fire and electrical risks, ensuring that fire safety professionals across Sharjah are equipped with the latest knowledge and tools in line with global standards.
“This alliance reflects our dedication to continuous improvement and proactive measures to protect lives and property,”
Pauley said: “In the urban landscape, fire presents a constant threat, and with ongoing development across Sharjah, including numerous high-rise buildings, it is essential that robust fire and life safety systems are in place to protect the public.
“At NFPA, we look forward to working alongside the Sharjah Civil Defence Authority to enhance the training and education of fire and life safety professionals across the Emirate.
“Our aim is to strengthen awareness and implementation of relevant codes, standards, and regulations, supporting Sharjah’s efforts to align safety practices with global benchmarks.”
The announcement follows efforts in Sharjah focused on fire safety risks in high-rise buildings.
In 2024, under the directive of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Emirate launched an initiative to replace hazardous cladding materials with fire-resistant alternatives, funded by the government and valued at AED 100 million.
The organisations said the alliance is intended to complement such initiatives through technical expertise and global best practices.
The MoU sets out the collaboration as focused on training, education, and the use of codes, standards, and regulations to support fire and life safety.