The challenges of fire safety in Kinshasa: lack of means and prevention
The city of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, faces many problems in terms of fire safety. Claims are on the increase, causing the destruction of property and sometimes even the loss of human life. Firefighters, deprived and under-equipped, often find themselves powerless in the face of these emergency situations.
The observation is clear: Kinshasa’s fire services are poorly equipped. They lack fire vehicles, protective suits, fire hydrants and metal ladders. In addition, firefighters are demoralized due to salary delays. This situation compromises their ability to intervene effectively during fires.
The Kinshasa fire brigade is theoretically present, but it is often unable to respond to emergency situations. Traveling to disaster sites is difficult due to the lack of mobility, and once there, firefighters quickly find themselves short of water due to the limited capacity of their tanker trucks and the lack of hydrants. fire in some areas.
Even in the commune of Gombe, considered more developed, many fire hydrants are blocked or disconnected from the water supply network. This leads to disastrous situations where the victims watch helplessly as their property is destroyed while the firefighters are reduced to spectators after the water in their trucks runs out.
It is also important to highlight the absence of a fire prevention policy in Kinshasa. In the past, the city had an effective fire brigade, fire hydrants were present in many places and each high-rise building had to be equipped with fire extinguishers. Unfortunately, these standards are no longer respected, which exposes residents and their property to increased risks.
Particular attention should also be paid to Kinshasa’s urban markets, which operate mainly in the streets. Wooden stalls and tin shacks are high fire hazards, as they can easily be damaged by an electrical short circuit or any incident related to fire. The safety of the occupants of these markets and their property is not guaranteed in their current state.
To remedy this situation, it is necessary to take concrete measures. It is essential to equip the fire services of Kinshasa with the necessary means, such as fire-fighting vehicles, protective equipment and functional fire hydrants. In addition, it is crucial to implement a fire prevention policy, ensuring that safety standards are respected in the construction of buildings and raising public awareness of prevention actions.
Fire safety is a major issue for the city of Kinshasa. It is imperative to take immediate measures to ensure the protection of the inhabitants and their property