Aramco Advances Fire Protection Through Emergency Preparedness & Safety Innovation
Aramco Americas Technical Services Department were on site for the trial and send live footage to Saudi Aramco. (l-r) Hasun Darwiche (Contractor), John Baird (Supervisor, Technologies Oversight), Ali Al Qahtani (Technical Services Director), Prasanna Tankhiwale (Motiva), and Brian Binoy (Engineer).
At the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service Brayton Fire Training Field, a four-legged robot moved across industrial terrain, climbed stairs, crossed grated walkways, and approached the type of fire that emergency responders may not be able to reach safely during a major incident.
This successful proof-of-concept was one part of a broader summer focus on fire protection, emergency preparedness, and safety innovation. Through technology testing, international firefighter development, and participation as a Platinum Sponsor of the 2026 National Fire Protection Association Conference & Expo (NFPA), Aramco continued to strengthen how it protects people, assets and communities.
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A Global Platform for Fire and Life Safety
- 8,900 attendees
- 90 countries represented
- 130 educational session
At NFPA in late June, Aramco engaged with fire, electrical, and life safety professionals from around the world and contributed technical expertise through sessions focused on emergency response, resilience, and the use of artificial intelligence in firefighting equipment.
Preparedness Beyond the ChecklistIn the session “Beyond the Checklist: Advancing Emergency Preparedness Through NFPA Standards, Best Practices, and Innovation,” Fire Protection Engineering Specialist Mohammed Saeefan and Fire Protection Specialist Maher Guraini emphasized that emergency readiness depends on more than just written procedures. They highlighted the need to integrate standards, training, inspection and maintenance, mutual aid partnerships, equipment readiness, and digital technologies into a comprehensive preparedness framework.
Aramco Fire Protection Engineering Specialist Mohammed Saeefan led an educational session to share knowledge and promoting best practices.
Aramco Fire Protection Specialist Maher Guraini reinforced the company’s committed to fire protection and emergency response.
Aramco’s focus on preparedness also extends to developing the people who lead emergency response. To support up-and-coming fire service leaders in Saudi Arabia, Aramco worked with the International Association of Fire Chiefs to create a structured international training experience.
Through the IAFC International Fellowship Program, international firefighters are placed with leading U.S. fire departments for six months, gaining hands-on exposure to emergency operations, leadership practices, and professional networks they can apply when they return home.
By connecting Saudi Aramco firefighters with U.S. host departments, the fellowship encourages practical knowledge-sharing and reinforces Aramco’s broader commitment to safety leadership and emergency preparedness.
The IAFC International Fellowship Program hosts several cohorts per year to stations across the United States. Stations handle a variety of emergencies—including fire responses, technical rescue, and hazardous materials incidents.
At NFPA, Aramco also explored how artificial intelligence can support emergency response. One session examined AI applications in fire trucks and hydraulic aerial platforms, including how advanced systems can improve situational awareness, operational efficiency, equipment performance, and decision-making during incidents.
As emergency risks become more complex, AI-driven tools may help responders access better information and make faster decisions when time is critical.
Robotics in High-Risk Environments
The strongest example of that focus was a recent robotics evaluation conducted at Texas A&M University’s Brayton Fire Training Field by a multidisciplinary team from Saudi Aramco’s Loss Prevention, Fire Protection, Engineering Services and Automation Systems organizations, along with Aramco Americas.
The team set out to address a practical challenge: during major incidents, security events or hazardous releases, responders may not always be able to safely access fire protection systems that traditionally require manual activation.
To reduce that exposure, the team evaluated ground-based robots equipped with manipulator arms. Boston Dynamics’ Spot robot emerged as a leading candidate because of its industrial mobility and advanced manipulation capabilities.
Spot tested its ability to turn a deluge system valve and direct a water cannon.
Testing Remote Fire System Activation
During the proof-of-concept trial at the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), the robot successfully interacted with critical fire protection infrastructure in an environment designed to replicate oil and gas facilities.
“I was impressed with what I saw; robotic technology in action to demonstrate the ability of activating a fire deluge system without a human being,” said Ali Al Qahtani, Aramco Americas Director of Technical Services. “It’s a great achievement. Aramco has always been at the forefront of utilization of technology to save a human life and save assets for loss prevention.”
During the trial, the robot demonstrated the ability to:
- Navigate industrial terrain, including stairs, grated walkways, and obstacles.
- Maintain reliable communications in dense industrial environments.
- Activate emergency pull stations and push-button controls.
- Remove protective covers from activation devices.
- Operate fire water deluge system valves.
- Manipulate and aim firefighting monitors during live-fire scenarios.
The successful demonstration showed how robotic systems could help reduce responder exposure during high-risk emergencies while maintaining critical response capabilities.
An Aramco delegation attended the NFPA Conference in Las Vegas a premier event in its industry.
Strengthening the Future of Emergency Response
The robotics trial marks an important step toward integrating autonomous and semi-autonomous technologies into industrial emergency response programs. Future work will focus on increasing automation, improving response speed, strengthening performance in extreme conditions, and expanding the robot’s emergency response capabilities.
Aramco plans to further validate the technology through pilot deployments at operating facilities, where robots will be evaluated for additional use cases such as incident command post support, fire pump control panel operation, and advanced fire monitor management. Together, Aramco’s robotics testing, NFPA participation, and international firefighter development reflect a comprehensive approach to fire protection: pairing technical innovation with global collaboration and practical training.
As operational risks evolve, Aramco continues to advance safer, smarter and more resilient emergency response solutions designed to protect people, facilities and communities.
International Firefighter Fellowship
- Approximately 2,200 firefighters serve Saudi Aramco worldwide
- 10+ years of partnership with the IAFC
- 200+ program graduates
- 29 fellowship cohorts completed
- 16 major U.S. fire departments have hosted fellows, with several serving as repeat hosts
