The Poland Government has officially opened a Sh 20 million Fire and Rescue Training Centre in Kiambu with the First Fire Fighting curriculum accredited to Technical Vocational Education Training Authority (TVETA).
During the familiarization tour to the facility, Poland Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of Development and Economic Cooperation for Africa and the Middle East Pavel Jablonski together with the Poland Ambassador to Kenya Jacek Bazanski, said the training centre will provide high quality professional education and certification services for firefighters from across the country.
According to Mr. Jablonski, Polish instructors have already trained over 600 Kenyan firefighters, and have offered firefighting services in over 30 counties, the Polish government has also donated professional personal protection equipment and gear for their units.
The Chairman chief fire officers Association (CFOA) Mr. Samuel Kahura said that the fire fighters are being trained using the latest techniques in compacting fire and rescue mission whenever such incident occurs.
He further said that the fire fighters are also being trained in high rope rescue training under the Polish center for international aid who partnered with the County Government through the Poland Ministry of foreign affairs.
“I’m proud of the 80 graduands in Kiambu, as we are now very prepared in case of a disaster and my government will continue partnering with the Polish Government to empower the disaster and rescue team with more skills to deal with disasters,” said Kiambu Governor James Nyoro.
Kahura said that the fire training college is offering training to professional fire fighters from the 30 counties only and it is not open to the public yet and because of Covid-19 the training has not been actualized but it is offered online.
He further said counties have been importing fire engines at accost of Sh. 60 million but through a Collaboration with Polish Center for International Aid (PCPM), chief fire officers Association (CFOA) Kenya have developed a prototype (Isuzu) fire Engine, manufactured in Kenya for Kenya.
“We call upon other counties to come and buy these locally manufactured fire engines as they cost four times less than the imported fire engines and have been customized to a fire engine which is easy to maintain and maneuver on our rough terrain,” said Kahura.
By Grace Naishoo
