Why Strathmore university drill was a success

Author Reference

Benard, L. (2015): Why Strathmore university drill was a success. Intel Fire Group of Companies Blog. Nairobi, Kenya.

The news that there was a terror attack at Strathmore University shocked everyone especially parents with sons and daughters at the university. However the most profound shock came with the announcement that indicated all the fiasco was a drill. Many questions have therefore have been raised especially in social media on the success level of the drill and some even castigating the University authority for allowing such a drill without informing the lecturers, leave alone the students. As a professional in the public safety industry the questions that should be raised are simple and specific and must be related to the objectivity of the drill. And in an effort to distinguish the various types of drills based on objectivity, then the Strathmore University drill was a success. Why? Why? And Why?

Why? The purpose of a drill first and foremost is to check the preparedness of the premises, proponents, the emergency team, the media and the security team response. What was therefore the major objective of the Strathmore University drill? Going by the media reports and statements from the top university administrators, the main intention was to check the levels of preparedness of the university and especially if a terror attack was to occur. Did they achieve this objective? Of course they did through getting a negative result that was majorly occasioned by poor organization of the whole drill exercise. The masses must be made aware that drills and especially a terror attack one, there is no prior information given to the intended institution members and this should be made as real as possible but at the same time should include all stakeholders. Take for example a media house that reports regionally running breaking news that “Strathmore University attacked by terrorists” then after a few minutes changes the tune does not only questions their credibility but also the validity of the other information reported. But however more shambolic this may look, the university achieved the objective of sending the information across masses that it was actually under attack, albeit for few minutes.

Why? The other objective of the drill was to gauge the level of preparedness of the students in particular. Did they achieve this? This was massively achieved and the evidence of success must be sending the organizers of this drill into a review of the methodology used and more so rethink on the training the student underwent prior to this particular drill. Mentioning terror in Kenya brings memories long forgotten and this terror emanating in your dining hall cannot only be dream but is a situation which in most cases would lead to mass hysteria. In essence therefore, if the training was not fully and categorical implemented using real life scenarios within the university and only PowerPoint slides with huge pictures were mooted then the drill was successful in identifying that the training did not achieve its expectation. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA, 2007) all profess that before any form of drill is undertaken their must be a professional safety team trained and in place and that the employees and students in this case must be trained and an in-house mock drill carried out during the training sessions to imitate the real drill.

Why? A drill undertaken by a university is to drive a message to its stakeholder that the safety of its students and members of staff is paramount. To add into this, other universities had undertaken the drill including Meru University, Kenyatta University among other notable ones so why would a university not undertake one and ensure that it is more successful and more publicized as possible. The Strathmore University drill had all the good intentions to its students and staff and especially in the light of terror attack that targeted the Garissa University in the past month; however its disorganization has made the university standout in the last two days with opinions and castigation directed at the university authority. So the publicity that comes with undertaking a drill where there is a multicultural community really came but in a negative way and it will stop. Universities administrators must therefore in the light of this drill reconsider their engagements in organizing for a drill and ask the hard questions that Strathmore University is asking now.

The drill procedure in Kenya

1) The premises proponents undergo a safety training that covers all the safety skills and measures in evacuation tailored to their environment. 2) The university through its safety coordination team forms a committee to organize the drill . 3) The university top administrators are informed of the drill date and those incorporated but no time is mentioned. 4) The safety team chief coordinator informs the nearest police chief within the juridiction who inturn informs the highest office; the county fire brigade is informed of the planned drill and the date but not timings; the private fire service responders are not informed at all of the intent to carry a drill as they are part of the assessment; and lastly the nearest neighbors to the institution are informed of the drill date and time. 5) The safety team together with the security officers execute the drill and coordinate the evacuation efforts as a way of ensuring that the students follow the best standard practice procedures. 6) External auditors will be monitoring the drill process and finally give a report on improvement measures. 7) The premises is cleared and the safety coordinator together with the security team brief the gathering at the assembly point. 8) Drill called to rest.

No fatalities should be reported in any drill whatsoever unless it is an accident that could have not been avoided. To the staff and students of Strathmore University, the learning process continue and as one of the best known university with high standards in academic circles in Kenya, this is a challenge and one that will define the university in history books. 

The writer is a PhD Generalist in Public Safety Service Delivery: info@intelfiregroup.com