Kuwait Fire Force to transform fire stations into modern landmarks

• The new fire centers are designed as both workspaces and recreational areas for firefighters, featuring modern architecture and amenities for staff comfort. Each center includes sports facilities and at least one swimming pool per governorate to promote physical fitness and provide entertainment after their 48-hour shifts.

Brigadier General Engineer Abdulmohsen Al-Anzi, Director of the Construction and Maintenance Department at the Kuwait Fire Force, announced a ten-year strategic plan to modernize fire stations, transforming them into practical, entertaining, and landmark facilities in each region. The plan also includes relocating vehicle and equipment management to the Sulaibiya area, which offers more space and better accessibility than the current locations.

Al-Anzi pointed out in an interview with Al-Rai newspaper that the administration successfully canceled the use of paper for submitting maintenance requests, converting the process to an electronic system. He also noted that by 2028, there will be no leased fire stations, according to a strategic plan currently being implemented.

Excerpts from the interview:

• What is the nature of the work of the Construction and Maintenance Department in the Kuwait Fire Force?

The Construction and Maintenance Department specializes in the construction and maintenance of all buildings for the force. It has a technical staff of fiftyengineers and assistant engineers, all of whom are Kuwaiti and represent various specialties.

The department oversees 75 buildings, including fire stations and other administrative buildings, such as firefighter training centers, prevention buildings in the governorates, and operations facilities.

A plan is regularly reviewed and updated based on regional needs and labor department requirements to build new fire stations or upgrade existing ones, all within a ten-year timeframe and according to the available budget, in cooperation with other government agencies.

Administrative services have also been enhanced by transitioning to an electronic system for receiving maintenance requests, which saves time and effort, allows for faster and more accurate work monitoring, and facilitates addressing any defects and identifying their causes.

• What are the components of the new fire stations?

The new fire centers are designed to be both workspaces and recreational areas for firefighters. The ‘firefighting’centers have been updated to serve as ‘centers of excellence’ in each area, featuring modern architectural designs and amenities for the comfort of the staff. These centers include recreational and sports facilities to enhance the firefighters’ well-being, as well as at least one swimming pool in each governorate to maintain their physical fitness and provide entertainment after their 48-hour shifts.

• What is the current status of the project to demolish and rebuild old centers?

The firefighting department has a strategic plan to demolish and rebuild its old centers, which were constructed approximately 30 years ago. Centers in Al-Mangaf and Jahra are scheduled for renovation, after which work will begin on the centers in Sulaibkhat, Al-Hilali, Jalib Al-Shukh, Shuwaikh Industrial, Al-Ahmadi, and Mina Abdullah. The designs for these centers have been completed and are included in the rebuilding plan.

• And what about the fire college project?

This is a huge project that will elevate firefighting to a global standard. The project aims to improve the educational and training levels of the Kuwait Fire Force’s members, as well as their academic recognition.

It covers an area of 260,000 square meters and includes buildings for training in firefighting, extinguishing and combating oil fires, rescue operations in tunnels, airports, and trains, as well as rescue operations for victims of road accidents and building collapses.

The college will feature various halls, a theater, sports facilities, training and entertainment centers, and parking lots.

• Do you have a plan for prevention sector projects?

We have launched several projects for the prevention sector, including the construction of the Jahra protection building in the city of Saad Al-Abdullah, which is budgeted at about 700,000 dinars. The contract has been signed, and work is underway. The capital’s building has been relocated to the old fire building in Salhiya.

For the Waqaya Al-Farwaniya and Mubarak Al-Kabirbuildings, a site has been allocated for the former in Al-Ardiya Industrial, and a site for the latter in the palaces. We are working to obtain approvals from the relevant authorities to prepare designs for these buildings. By 2028, there will be no rented buildings for the fire force.

Additionally, the construction and operation of a multi-role parking building for the prevention sector in West Musharraf has been completed. This facility consists of two basements and four parking floors, accommodating 550 cars, and is valued at 3.3 million dinars. It will serve the main fire building, the prevention sector, and a fire center.

Opening of centers soon

Brigadier General Abdulmohsen Al-Anzi announced that several centers will be opened soon, including the Kairouan Center, South Airport Center, Military Airport Center, and a center in Al-Matla, all scheduled to open before the end of this year.

Ongoing projects

Al-Anzi discussed projects currently under implementation, such as the South West Abdullah Al-Mubarak Fire Station, the Prevention Sector Building in Jahra Governorate, and Al-Mutlaa 2 Center, for which the contract has been signed.

He also mentioned upcoming projects in the design phase, including the Jleeb Al-Shuaykh Center, which will be demolished for reconstruction, the Asherj Center in Northwest Sulaibkhat, and various centers in Al-Hili, Al-Shuwaikh Industrial, Umm Al-Aishah, as well as the Palaces Center, the Waqaya Department Building in Mubarak Al-Kabir Governorate, and centers in Al-Kabeer, Al-Dhahr, Al-Salimiyah, Al-Sahid, Al-Salmi, Al-Shadadia Industrial, and South Sabahadiyah City.

Maintenance of marine centers

Al-Anzi referred to the renewal of maritime fire stations, stating, “The rehabilitation and maintenance of marine and rescue centers in Salmiya, Shuwaiba Port, and Shuwaikh Port have been completed.

Additionally, there is a tender for the maintenance and restoration of public facilities within the fire force, valued at two million dinars, which has been put forth by the Central Authority for Public Tenders.”

He added that maintenance contracts for electrical and mechanical work are ongoing, covering repairs and maintenance of water network systems, sliding doors, security barriers, electrical and air conditioning systems, swimming pools, and elevators, all valid for three years.