Under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Nasser Yassin, Minister of Environment, and in the presence of Dr. Elias Warrak, President of the University of Balamand, the Reforestation Association in Lebanon organized a launch ceremony for the Firepatrol application. Developed in partnership with the Land and Natural Resources Program at the Institute of Environment at the University of Balamand and ESRI-Lebanon Foundation, the Firepatrol application aims to support local fire risk management efforts.
This event took place as part of the National Forest Fire Prevention Week and the National Forest Fire Prevention Campaign for 2023. The ceremony highlighted the significance of embracing technology to enhance responses to fire hazards and protect local communities. Specifically, the focus was on raising awareness about the potential for fire outbreaks by utilizing data from the University of Balamand's Fire Laboratory. The laboratory employs an advanced and distinctive modeling system developed by a specialized research team at the Institute of Environment.
The launch ceremony was attended by representatives from various UOB faculties, non-governmental organizations, municipalities, and other stakeholders involved in the forestry and fire sectors. President Warrak delivered a warm welcome speech to the participants, reiterating the university's commitment to supporting national efforts in preserving Lebanon's natural resources. H.E. Dr. Yassin also addressed the gathering, highlighting the importance of the National Fire Prevention Week and the Ministry of Environment's endeavors to manage fire risks in Lebanon. He emphasized the need for partnerships with universities, research centers, and local communities to effectively reduce the risk of fire outbreaks and their subsequent spread.
Following the speeches, Dr. George Mitri, Director of the Lands and Natural Resources Program at the Institute of Environment, provided a detailed explanation of the importance of fire risk management. He presented the fire laboratory system and underscored the significance of relying on it to implement preventive measures and urbanization efforts before a fire occurs. The Lebanese Reforestation Initiative then introduced the Firepatrol application and its tools, followed by an explanation provided by ESRI-Lebanon.
In essence, the Firepatrol application offers an advanced platform to support and coordinate local firefighting efforts. It serves as an innovative tool for continuous improvement and effective coordination among all stakeholders involved in combating fires and minimizing damages caused by them. In addition to providing fire alerts, the app offers various features, including real-time fire reporting and location tracking, analysis of fire-related data, updated information on previous local fires, and enhanced communication between local fire brigades and other participants.
This initiative exemplifies the commitment of the Ministry of Environment, the University of Balamand, the Lebanon Reforestation Initiative, and the participating partners to promote the safety of local communities, preserve the environment, and foster the exchange of ideas, experiences, and collaborative firefighting efforts. It contributes to the ongoing enhancement of safety measures regarding the risk of fires within local communities, aligning with the decisions of the updated national strategy aimed at mitigating fire risks.
