Do Kenyan firefighters have a role to play in fighting terrorism?

Author Reference

Benard., L., (2015): Do Kenyan firefighters have a role to play in fighting terrorism?. Intel Fire Group Blog. Nairobi, Kenya.

Do Kenyan fire-fighters have a role to play in fighting terrorism?

Soldiers patrols the Garissa University College

Terrorist attack on Garissa University College in northern part of Kenya is framed as one of the worst attacks since the 1998 bomb blast in its capital in Nairobi. This attack is the most unfortunate thing that has happened in Kenya and remains in the minds of many Kenyans as they go on with their daily hustles. As a research generalist in fire service delivery, my major thought of concern is “Do Kenyan fire-fighters have a role to play in fighting terrorism?” The attack on Garissa University College has opened a Pandora box of the greatest evil in society that can target an institution of learning in Kenya.

This attack should sound a loud alarm to the fire departments in Kenya to decide whether to watch from the side track or whether they have a role to play in fighting terrorism. In Kenya virtually all counties governments have a fire department and the more established ones like Nairobi County have incorporated the central command center and if well managed should leverage their operations to enhance the effectiveness of local counter terrorism operations. During the Garissa University College operations it was sad to note that not even one fire emergency response unit was on site and a fire would have called for a re-setup in planning. County Governments should, as a strategy, engage their fire department, which have the specific skills and training for safety response, into the overall security planning of the county governments with a view of improving public safety. The argument that security is a national function is a fallacy.

It should be noted that in Kenya fire departments, at least for those established, have manpower and this number is increasing as more and more County Governments are establishing the disaster management department. Since this is a home-grown and county grown response unit, they would naturally be the fast at the scene and it would only be prudent if the fire-fighters considered themselves as important as other response units within the country. Some would argue that the role of fire-fighters in responding to emergency is very complex in Kenya and would require wide consultation. Of course this is true but the conversation must start somewhere in order for this to be achieved. We look forward as a Kenya fire professional fully equipped and engaged in the fight against terrorism through local homeland security.

Counterterrorism functions of fire department

The Manhattan Institute in its report titled “Policing Report” outlines three broad ways in which fire departments can contribute to counterterrorism efforts as Intelligence collectors; users and sharers; developers of community networks; and as organizers of joint planning, preparedness, and response.

1. Collectors of Intelligence

Increased coordination, integration, and communication with other public-safety agencies enhance a fire department’s ability to fulfill its core mission of protecting life.

• Access to venues. During the course of routine building inspections, arson investigations, and responses to fire and medical emergencies, fire department personnel enjoy access to buildings generally denied outsiders. These firefighters are passive collectors, who are positioned in the normal course of their duties to observe the signs of terrorist activity and, assuming that the firefighters are properly trained, to recognize them as such. When properly shared with local law enforcement and local and national intelligence centers, this information can fill critical intelligence gaps and generate leads. In addition, fire inspectors and fire personnel are often present to ensure public safety at high-profile events—such as athletic contests, political rallies, and concerts—that can be attractive targets for terrorists.
• Access to, and knowledge of, premises storing hazardous materials. Fire department personnel regularly inspect buildings and sites where hazardous materials are stored. Being familiar with such materials and their destructive potential, fire department personnel are in a privileged position to observe and report on suspicious or unusual conditions and to educate facility managers to do the same.
• Observation of suspicious activity. Firefighters may observe possible terrorist materials, such as equipment and planning documents, in the course of responding to an incident.
• Detection of possible weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Because many fire department units carry equipment, including radiation detectors, capable of identifying hazardous materials, fire departments can assist in discovering materials used in a WMD or dirty bomb. With proper training, firefighters and emergency responders can become alert to physical symptoms in humans that might indicate the occurrence of a biological or chemical attack.
• Protecting critical infrastructure. Fire departments already play an important role in assessing critical infrastructure’s vulnerability to a variety of dangers, including terrorism. While police departments evaluate the security of structures, fire departments evaluate their physical integrity, unique operational challenges, and avenues of rescue and escape.

2. Creation of Community Networks

Fire departments typically enjoy excellent community relations. Many of them keep their doors open around the clock, allow children to climb onto fire trucks when they are not responding to an emergency, and cooperate with local residents staging parades, fund-raisers, and school visits. This rapport with the community places fire departments in a unique position to build dialogue. Departments can teach citizens to recognize the signs of suspicious activity and encourage them to report them. Departments can also involve community members in the business of emergency response.

[Read more at: http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/ptr_03.htm]

In conclusion fire departments I believe have a big role to play in counter terrorism efforts.

The Author is a Research Generalist in Projects Management Specializing in Fire Service Delivery

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