An Assessment of Safety Strategies in Handling Fire Emergencies in Kenyan Airports- a Case Study of Wilson Airport Nairobi

Abstract

The purpose of study was to assess the safety strategies in handling fire emergencies in Kenyan airports. The assessment was done using the National Emergency Response Plan and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that have been adopted by the National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU) to provide a strategic, operational and tactical guide for NDMU, government agencies and private partners during emergency incidents in the country. The specific objectives were to identify the strategic planning measures that Wilson Airport has put in place to handle fire emergencies, to examine the adequacy of strategic planning for fire emergencies in Wilson Airport Nairobi, to assess the form of human resource training that informs the emergencies in Wilson Airport Nairobi, to appraise the capacity of the infrastructural set up in addressing fire emergencies in Wilson Airport Nairobi and to identify the challenges facing Wilson Airport in its appropriate response to fire emergencies. The theories adopted for this study included the Chaos Theory and the Systems Theory. In this research, a descriptive survey research design was utilized across a sample of 323 airport staff members, 10 airline managers and 12 trained firefighters. Questionnaires and interview guides were employed as the tools of study. The research findings established that human resource training for fire emergencies at Wilson Airport entails activities such as: fire drills for the staff to constantly gain skills, educational campaigns, response team training and emergency situation rehearsals. In regard to infrastructure, the study established that that the airport has various facilities such as firefighting agencies that are part of its infrastructural set up for fire emergencies. The study recommends the implementation of new policies and objectives that are meant to guide fire safety handling at Wilson Airport. Additionally, it is recommended that the effectiveness of the strategic planning measures need to be addressed which will entail collaboration between departments as well as improved communication that have been highlighted as great determinant in strategic planning. Lastly the study recommends more training on evacuation procedures to be conducted as well as regular checking and maintenance of all equipment that is vital in fire safety handling to ensure that the infrastructural set-up at the facility can handle a fire outbreak.