Sonko Rescue Team: A concept that if well modeled will change the disaster response story in Nairobi and beyond

Author Reference

Benard., L., (2014): Sonko Rescue Team: A concept that if well modeled will change the disaster response story in Nairobi and beyond. Intel Fire Group Blog. Nairobi, Kenya.

Coiling a disaster management team for basic disaster response in any city or town can be a daunting task but the recently launched SONKO response team in Nairobi is taking shape. The response team which is slowly gaining the attention of City residence comprises (According to Mr. SONKO Facebook update) a fire engine, towing trucks, and ambulances. In the recent times the city has faced major disasters from terrorist attacks, greasily road accidents to building collapsing but the major bodies concerned with response has not been proactive as required of them hence resulting into major public complains on the nature of response and the inadequate tools. The SONKO Rescue Team as a concept can endeavor again if natured into a formidable response force but the other county government can learn from.

The response system as a model

 

The response team as it currently stands can be modeled in to three core activities: free medical service; free response service; and free community service. The free medical service comprises of ambulances that is responding to the emergencies like road accidents that required immediate medical attention. Complete with trained medical experts and technical assistants, the free service is one of its kinds in Nairobi and its success will prove that better management of free services in Kenya can actually change lives. The free response service comprising of a towing truck, fire engine and water tankers mainly targets disasters especially fire related that mainly occur in slums in Nairobi. Fire being a major disaster in cities like Nairobi, offering a free service on fire service delivery would mean that the team responds every weak as records currently shows that there is at least one major fire disaster in Nairobi slum every weak. The provision of free security patrols also falls under this category. The free community service is a unique cluster service even though the free medical and response service are community service, they are specific with area of expertise therefore can be categorized independently. The free community service has attracted much public attention due to the package that provides free limousines and sleek hummers to couples seeking to wed.

What the county government can learn

Disaster management has been ignored by many county government and most have been focusing on responding to disasters when they occur rather than putting control measures to avoid the disasters occurring in the first place. The SONKO response team may be geared towards response to disasters as one school of thought would easily place it but this nobble idea can be implemented by county governments in creating awareness in disaster management and implementing control strategies to avoid disaster occurring.

As long as there are no good structures in place and systems to support them disasters will continue to occur and this concept will go a long way in giving hope to the hopeless in society.

It is also a strong indication that free service delivery as a concept can actually work and only requires a determined government and efficient utilization of resources that are available locally. Scholars would also note that free service delivery is not imitating what is done in other countries especially the west but finding a lasting solution to local problems. The only question that would arise in most instances is the sustainability of the project. This project is a noble idea but if the target community is not involved in its activities then its success will only last for a while as the community will not own it. But again that is a study that should be conducted conclusively.

The Author is a student of PhD Projects Management at JKUAT Juja Main Campus.