Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Education is vital to you and to me. 30 firefighters have graduated from the Morendat Institute of Oil and Gas in a program. This is set to boost disaster management in Nakuru County.
The graduants went through a rigorous four week training on basic firefighting techniques, fully sponsored by the County Government.
The fire fighters will be part of community disaster response teams set to be constituted in every sub County.
The idea to train our youth in disaster preparedness was born after we felt the need to have community response teams to act as first responders in case of a fire.
Eng Kariuki
The program would also boost the readiness of Nakuru municipality in disaster management as it is a requirement to become a city.
Measures Taken
The County is taking other disaster preparation measures.This include setting up an emergency kitty and drafting the Disaster Bill that is currently being debated at the County Assembly.
The county has procured ambulances and a fire engine. Its also constructing a 160 million Kenya shillings town fire station.
The County Executive, however, raised concerns about the parking of loaded fuel trucks along the highways. It has requested the Kenya Pipeline Company to have designated parking areas for these trucks.
The County government has started proper planning of the town and urban centres. To ensure quick access to the fire engine in the event of a fire.
Hazard and risk mapping has also been done in industrial area and commercial areas. Essentially to assess imminent risks and ways of preventing disasters.
Director MIOG Jonah Aiyabei pointed out the training benefits. Ayebei reiterated that the fire training will empower youth on how to fight fire disasters and save lives.
We aim to fill the skills gap in disaster management through capacity building and we ask other counties to emulate Nakuru County and invest in disaster preparedness.
Mr Aiyabei ,Director MIOG