Fire Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness in Nairobi: a Capacity Assessment of the City’s Fire Brigade
Abstract
This study is an assessment of the capacity for fire disaster mitigation and
preparedness of the county government. It aims at assessing the existing capacity,
identifying the deficiencies and recommending areas of improvement to enhance fire
disaster mitigation and preparedness. Based on parameters of assessment identified
in fire disaster management literature, a conceptual framework for fire disaster
preparedness was developed. The study adopted an evaluative approach to achieve
its objectives. Several indicators of management technical and infrastructure,
financial, and institutional and legislative capacities were assessed. The study used
stratified random sampling to create a sample frame which comprised two hundred
and forty three respondents (243), out of which 198 respondents were service users
and 45 respondents were fire department personnel. Service users were derived from
three different parts of the city where recent fire disasters had occurred- Gikomba
market, Industrial area and Gatwikira village, Kibera. Data collection was done using
questionnaires, interview schedules, observation and photography. Data analysis was
done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and Ms Excel, and the results
presented using tables, graphs and pie charts. The study revealed that the county
government has inadequate capacity for fire disaster mitigation and preparedness by
identifying inadequacies such as lack of fire disaster management plans and
inadequate machinery and equipment among others. The study provides
recommendations on improvements and policy measures on fire disaster mitigation
and preparedness key among them being development of fire disaster management
and contingency plans, adequate budgetary allocation, community awareness
creation and capacity development.
Publisher
University Of Nairobi
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
The following license files are associated with this item: