MOI rolls out 'UAE Emergency Number Day' campaign under 'Every Second Counts'

The UAE Ministry of Interior has launched the "UAE Emergency Number Day" campaign, WAM reported. The campaign is observed annually on September 9, in cooperation with Dubai Police and police headquarters across the UAE. This year's slogan is "Every Second Counts."

What is UAE Emergency Number Day?

UAE Emergency Number Day is an annual awareness campaign held on September 9 to promote responsible use of the emergency number 999. It also raises awareness of which number to contact depending on the situation, helping ensure faster assistance and better protection of lives and property.

What is 999 in the UAE?

The number 999 is the UAE's emergency number, reserved for situations that require urgent intervention. Officials say keeping this line free for genuine emergencies helps response teams reach people who need help without delay.

What is 901 in the UAE?

The number 901 handles general inquiries and non-emergency police services. The campaign draws a clear line between the two numbers so residents know which one to use. It delivers its awareness messages in multiple languages to reach different parts of the community.

Why does accurate reporting matter when calling 999?

The campaign stresses the importance of giving accurate, clear information when reporting an incident. Callers are urged to state their exact location, explain the situation clearly and cooperate with the call taker.

This information helps operations rooms assess the situation. It also helps them determine the right response and send specialized teams to the scene quickly.

What does the campaign aim to achieve?

The campaign's activities aim to cut down non-emergency calls to 999. They also aim to improve the quality of reports and teach the public the correct way to ask for help. This is meant to support faster response times and build public confidence in police efficiency.

What have officials said about the campaign?

Brigadier General Abdul Aziz Al-Ahmad, Director of Central Operations at the Ministry of Interior, said the choice of September 9 as "UAE Emergency Number Day" reflects the importance of public awareness around police communication channels. He said the slogan "Every Second Counts" reflects how critical time is during emergencies, adding that prompt reporting and accurate information can directly speed up response and save lives.

He added that the campaign aims to build a lasting culture of responsible use of emergency numbers. It is designed to help people understand when they need assistance, how to request it and which channel to use.

Brigadier Turki Abdulrahman bin Faris, Director of the General Department of Operations at Dubai Police, said accurate information is key to a swift response. He called on residents to give their precise location, explain the situation clearly and cooperate with the call taker.

He said this allows operations rooms to assess situations effectively and send the right teams and resources without delay. He also highlighted the work of call takers, operations room staff, and field and support teams, and said public cooperation starts with using 999 only for emergencies and 901 for inquiries and non-emergency services.