The Disaster Management Sector was established in 2018.It is responsible for disaster risk and crisis management. The sector is under the office of H.E. Governor headed by a Chief Officer.
SECTOR MANDATE
The sector is mandated to carry out disaster risk reduction strategies, firefighting, rescue operation, safety training, fire investigation and emergency ambulance services.
SECTOR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
- To focus on disaster risk reduction
- To enhance public safety and emergency response
- To enhance public awareness and disaster response.
BACK GROUND HISTORY
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF NAIROBI FIRE SERVICE
The first committee for the establishments was held in Nairobi in 1895 AD under the chairmanship of Mr. Cooper assisted by Mr. Ferrier and Mr. Desai to look into the possibility to establish a Fire Service in Nairobi Municipal.
Another committee meeting was held in 1907, this was a follow up of the committee. Those present were:- Mr. Cooper, Mr. Ferrier, Mr. Gailey, Mr. Smith, Mr. Wood, Mr. Creighton, Mr. Rebeiro and Mr. H.R. Date – the chairman.
Mr. Desai donated rupees 5,000 for the construction of the Fire Station currently along TomMboyastreet.The station had the tallest tower. It was used as an observatory tower to monitor fires since there was no telephone communication.
Nairobi’s second Fire Station on Enterprise road, Industrial Area was established in 1956 and athird Station in Ruaraka was leased to City Council of Nairobi by East African Breweries in 1996 for provision of Fire Services within and without.
The fourth and fifth fire station were constructed in 2019 at Kangundo road, and Waithaka area respectively and a process to establish a sixth one was initiated the same year at Gigili area.
FIRE TRAINING SCHOOL
The sector has a well-established training school based at the industrial area fire station.
The training school offers the following programs:-
- Basic fire safety
- Fire prevention course
- Breathing apparatus course
- Fire control room procedures
- Occupational health and safety for health and safety committee.
- Firefighting operational course
- Leadership course
- Emergency medical care Basic
- Ambulance operation course
- Fire marshals training for industrial emergency teams
- Fire marshals refresher course.
Chief Officer Disaster management third from left Standing next is the Belgium Ambassador, the Ag County Secretary and other senior members Of Nairobi County and Somati.
Chief Officer Disaster management with officials from Belgium Government testing a turntable ladder at industrial area fire station.
The modern fire equipment’s purchased from Belgium
Industrial Area
Fire men removing a fallen tree across the road.
Fire fighters in an operation fighting fire at an informal sector.
New arrivals for capacity building of the Nairobi County disaster management and coordination
Fire fighters in a training session.
These are fire engines at industrial area fire station.