Kiambu fire brigade, partners stage major disaster response drill to boost rescue preparedness

Kiambu County has stepped up its disaster preparedness with a high-level joint rescue drill simulating major emergencies, including building collapses, road crashes, and technical rescues such as pit latrine incidents.

The exercise, held at the Kiambu Fire and Rescue Training Centre, brought together a multi-agency team comprising the Kenya Police, Prisons Department, Kenya Red Cross, and the National Disaster Management Unit. It was led by the Kiambu and Nairobi Fire Brigades, whose crews have undergone a year-long Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) training programme sponsored by the Polish Centre for International Aid (PCPM).

The collaboration between Kiambu County and the Polish Centre dates back to 2015 and has focused on building capacity for emergency response.

Kiambu County Fire Brigade Chief Officer, Samuel Kahura, praised the drills for bridging long-standing gaps in disaster response.

“This was a very successful event focused on urban search and rescue. Over the past year, we have trained in Kiambu and Nairobi to prepare for construction collapses and building emergencies. The Polish Centre has also donated state-of-the-art fire and rescue equipment, boosting our response capacity,” Kahura said.

Gideon Owiti, a USAR trainee, noted that the training has improved both coordination and efficiency during emergencies.

“In the past, we struggled during complex rescues. Now, we can respond effectively to situations like road crashes and pit latrine collapses,” he said.

PCPM instructor, Maciej Garczyński, highlighted the gains made since last year.

“We focus on developing individual skills and teamwork to help citizens during disasters. The progress from last year to now has been significant,” he said.

Arthur Macharia, Officer in Charge at the National Disaster Management Unit, commended the initiative.

“This exercise shows our commitment to coordinated disaster response. These skills and equipment will greatly enhance our ability to save lives,” Macharia stated.

The joint drills underline the importance of multi-agency cooperation and the role of international partnerships in strengthening Kenya’s disaster response systems.