Colonel Ali Al-Marzouqi, Head of the Al-Shaddadiyah Hazardous Materials Center under the General Fire Department, affirmed that the center represents a crucial strategic step in enhancing preparedness and response to specialized incidents (chemical, biological, and radiological) while mitigating associated risks.

In an interview with Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Sunday, Colonel Al-Marzouqi stated that the center, located in Sabah Al-Salem University City at Kuwait University, is one of the country's first specialized facilities for handling hazardous materials and incidents. It aims to enhance community security by safeguarding lives and property while minimizing risks related to such materials.

He added that the center is built to modern standards and equipped with high-end facilities to ensure maximum safety and rapid response, both internally and externally. It also plays a vital role in training personnel on safe hazardous material handling and raising environmental awareness to achieve the highest safety standards.

The colonel explained that the center is outfitted with state-of-the-art devices, machinery, and global-standard technologies "for detecting, analyzing hazardous materials, and conducting post-incident decontamination." It currently operates 10 advanced vehicles equipped with cutting-edge technology to enhance response efficiency and ensure swift intervention under various conditions.

He emphasized that having effective hazardous material response mechanisms is not optional but a necessity to protect human lives, the environment, and ensure sustainable development and national security. For instance, the "fire pump vehicle" is deployed for building and vehicle fires and includes rescue equipment for road accidents.

Meanwhile, the "hazardous materials vehicle" is used in hazardous material incidents and features comprehensive tools, including detection monitors, leak containment equipment, personal protective suits, decontamination tents, and breathing apparatuses—complete with reserve oxygen cylinders.

Regarding the decontamination unit, Al-Marzouqi highlighted its critical role in field readiness, efficiently handling hazardous materials and performing chemical/biological decontamination to ensure personnel and equipment safety. The unit can process 70 people per hour.

The leak containment vehicle, he noted, is deployed in hazardous material incidents with specialized tools to effectively stop leaks. The large-scale decontamination unit can handle 100 people per hour, demonstrating high efficiency in responding to specialized incidents.

The reconnaissance vehicle, he added, detects all types of hazardous materials—chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear—forming a core part of the rapid-response system. It includes a lab for liquid/solid substance analysis, personal protective suits, a remote-controlled robot, and a weather monitoring system for wind direction.

Inaugurated on March 22, 2023, the Al-Shaddadiyah Hazardous Materials Center serves as a dedicated firefighting and hazardous materials response hub for Sabah Al-Salem University City and Kuwait at large. It is also a pioneering regional facility, equipped with cutting-edge monitoring systems, leak control mechanisms, and advanced vehicles—ranking among the Middle East’s most modern units for hazardous, gaseous, and radiological materials.