Dubai launches Dolphin water jetpack system for firefighting from the air

Dubai is now taking firefighting techniques to new heights — literally.

Further cementing its reputation as one of the world's most technologically advanced cities, Dubai has invested in water jetpack systems for firefighting.

A video released by the Dubai Civil Defence demonstrates firefighting like never seen before.

The firefighter uses a jet pack to rise above a bridge, by using water pressure from the attached jet ski, before using a fire hose to douse a car which is made to look like it is alight.

This innovative firefighting system called Dolphin has been launched in an effort to reduce response times as firefighters can get to the scene without battling heavy traffic on the roads.

The waterways also provide an unlimited source of water for firefighting and grant easy access to any fires on boats and shoreline buildings.

Last week Lieutenant Colonel Ali Al Mutawa, head of operations at Dubai Civil Devence, said floating firestations to allow blazes to be tackled from the Dubai Canal may be on their way.

Since 2012, a spate of fires has struck Dubai and other city-states in the United Arab Emirates.

The infernos all behaved the same way, rushing up and down the sides of buildings and most were fuelled by paneling on the sides of buildings.

Dubai's rapid growth and corner-cutting builders and regulators unaware of the danger the panelling posed led to its widespread use, experts say.

The risk of high-rise fires in Dubai got international attention on New Year's Eve a year ago, when the 63-storey The Address Downtown caught fire and burned ahead of a fireworks display over the nearby Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.

Police later blamed poor wiring for the fire.

The Address Downtown remains closed and under repair.

Photo The Address Hotel caught fire on New Year's Eve a year ago.

Supplied: Twitter/Robert Scott

ABC/AP