Why the Kenyan One-Stop-Border-Posts (OSBPs) must establish fire stations

Author Reference: Lango, B. (2017). Why the Kenyan One-Stop-Border-Posts (OSBPs) must establish fire stations. Disaster Management Series Journal. Nairobi, Kenya. January 27, 2018.

Intel Fire Group of Companies staff testing a fire hydrant. [Photo: courtesy]

 The One-Stop-Border-Post (OSBP), a concept that was replicated from Southern African countries to East African selected borders, is one that was tried and successful in reducing transport costs incurred in cross-border movement. The OSBPs which works on a simple concept of clearance at the entry country has also reduced the number of middlemen loitering around the border-points in search of “assisting” cross border customers with the tedious process. The OSBPs have been voted as the best trade implementations that are gearing the East African economies to achieving a steadfast rise in modern 24-hour system of operations at the cross borders. The OSBPs within the Kenyan borders are listed by the Kenya state department of public works as Kenya-Tanzania border :Lunga Lunga / Horohoro; Loitoktok/ Tarakea; Namanga/Namanga; Isebania/ Sirare; Taveta/ Holili and Kenya – Uganda border: Malaba/Malaba; Busia/Busia. The Kenyan OSBPs like the other OSBPs have major power installations which includes generators, and power-controlled backup system. None of the OSBPs have a fire station as part of its border post departments but nearly all have police post within the border post. In cases of fire emergencies it is paramount that the OSBPs will suffer a major setback in terms of emergency response mechanisms. In line with being proactive in its operations, the OSBPs should consider the institutionalization of fire department within its levels of operations to avert the possible risks. And this the OSBPs have to do either immediately or in the near future as growth in operations signals the expanded risks which include fire risks.
 

The long distance between the nearest fire station and the OSBPs
It is important to note that most of Kenya’s county headquarters which host fire stations, are not located at the border points of the country. In this sense therefore most of the OSBPs are Kilometers away from the nearest fire station. Take example of Taveta OSBP and the fact that Taita-Taveta county does not have a viable fire response mechanism leaves the OSBP with the nearest fire station being in Mombasa County which is slightly over 260Km away. Another case is the Lunga Lunga OSBP with its nearest fire station being the Kwale County which is headquartered in Kwale which is over 90Km away. The capacity of fire stations within the counties where the OSBPs are located also threatens the operations of the OSBPs as these services cannot be rendered as required. Busia and Malaba OSBPs will greatly benefit from the nearest fire station as the stations are located within reach but again the stations lack capacity in terms of personnel and resources.

Minor fire outbreaks within the OSBPs and the no-mans’ land
Minor fire outbreaks and accidents have been reported in the recent past at the various border posts within Kenya. These fire outbreaks requires a department that deals with fire and risks management stationed at the border point to reduce the time limit it takes the fire station to respond otherwise they may result into major incidences. Reports from various studies and reviews also showed that the land occupation where neither the Kenyan nor its neighbors laws applies as it borders both countries is prominent with small fires and especially in Busia and Malaba borders. The consequences of search fires should they escalate will affect both the OSBPs on each side of the countries. Emergency risks at the OSBPs does not only limit self to fire but entails a lot more. The risks which are consider minor at the OSBPs would include vehicle and track accidents, OSBPs water shortage delivery, OSBPs monthly inspections of safety equipment, OSBPs monthly safety meeting sensitization, OSBPs community safety awareness, and other safety facilitations that are undertaken at the post. The strategic positioning of a fire station at the OSBPs on the Kenyan borders will ensure it maintains the safety of the facilities that have cost the countries and their partners billions of money.
 

Cross-border and Sub-county guidelines on seeking support services during emergencies
As far as the knowledge of the author limits, when a country seeks cross border assistance it means that the country does not have the ability at the time or in a long period of time to handle its deficiency in the area it is requesting assistance. In order also for a country’s sovereignty not to be undermined it should be able to provide emergency services to its citizens and visitors. Cross-border operations of one country into another country’s territory is therefore one process that can take long and when it is an emergency such as fire risk then the pivotal need would averted. In a nutshell this writing suggest that it is impossible for an OSBP to rely on another country’s facilities in ensuring fire safety. In the Kenyan administrative systems the counties are sub-divided into sub-counties with sub-administrative organs which have devolved functions and one of this function is the fire service delivery. Despite the counties facing challenges in instituting the various sub-county fire department it is prudent for the OSBPs to work with the county government in the establishment of fire services at the county levels to their interest.

Cost involved in hiring external fire service providers
The OSBPs through their administrative organs and partners have the option of hiring private fire service providers on contract to provide the vital on-watch-24hour service. To the service providers this is a business whose major deliverable will be the nights spent without any incident of fire to respond to and amount of consultancy fee attached to it as the beneficiary of such a “sacrifice”. It should be noted that to the service providers, the author included, the sole objective is to make money and money it is they will make. It boils down to cost of having a fire station at the OSBPs and this should not be looked at in face value but the greater value and the cumulative benefits of maintaining the facilities. The question is “what is the real value of establishing a fire department at the OSBP vis-a-viz the hiring of fire service providers?” and the answer will determine the value of the properties. It is a strong belief of the author that the OSBPs in Kenya would be better off with a fire department within the station rather than a private fire service provider as the benefits, responsibilities, authorities, and accountabilities are way more. The choice remains for the OSBPs and their administrators but as a reason it should be noted that choices have consequences.

The need to educate the surrounding communities on fire safety
The safety and security of the OSBPs and their environments is solely dependent on the surrounding communities and its dependents. The risks that is involved in fuel syphoning and the burglaries within the OSBPs and their surrounding areas should fuel the need to educate the surrounding communities on safety and especially fire safety when it comes to fuel syphoning. Community policing established at the OSBPs and the surrounding communities would benefit to a bigger extent. Community safety awareness requires consistent trainings, follow-ups, and demonstrations on fire safety issues and how these issues are solved or controlled within their midst. The fire risks that surround most OSBPs includes fuel syphoning; burglaries; vehicle accidents; illegal cooking by truck drivers; roadside kiosks using open flammable fuels; and many others. 

In conclusion, it is important for the Kenyan OSBPs to establish fire stations within the posts to ensure rapid response and in the same breath model a culture that gives priority to safety within the border posts minding that fire service delivery is a free service but the consequences are never free of will.

The writer is a PhD Generalist in Project Management Specializing in Managing Disaster Projects using PMIS.
Contact: benard.lango@gmail.com