Tactic 13: Fire Risk Management & Mitiga

Tactic 13: Fire Risk Management & Mitigation

Fire Risk Management & Mitigation in informal settlements reduces fire hazards and enhances safety through strategic infrastructure planning. Designated assembly points ensure safe evacuation during emergencies. Optimised access routes with clear, wide paths facilitate fire trucks and firefighter movement, while specific routes for response teams enable rapid intervention. Fire breaks and fire-retardant materials aid in limiting fire spread in the event of an emergency. Integrated water supplies such as hydrants or communal tanks support firefighting efforts. This tactic links with broader Disaster Risk Management by incorporating early warning systems, community training, and coordinated response plans, fostering resilience and safety in informal settlements.

Toi market fire
Source: The Star

Mradi area, Embakasi
Source: abc News

Fire risk - Fire risk in informal settlements is the potential for fire hazards due to unsafe construction, inadequate infrastructure, and hazardous materials that threaten lives and property.

Rapid urbanisation in Kenyan cities has heightened vulnerabilities to fires especially in informal settlements, where 60% of the population resides. For example, a gas explosion in February 2024 in Mradi, Embakasi, highlighted key issues exacerbating fire risks:

Flammable construction materials - Most dwellings made of wood, corrugated iron sheets, and plastic which are highly combustible and worsened fire spread.
Close quarters - The densely packed homes with narrow pathways hindered emergency access and facilitated rapid fire spread.
Explosive gas canisters - Unsafe storage of LPG canisters in the homes increased the risk of explosions during the fire.
Inadequate infrastructure - Limited water supply and a lack of firefighting equipment, such as hydrants left residents vulnerable. This was a significant factor in the Gikomba market and Toi market fires in December 2023 and August 2024 respectively.

Key points to be addressed

Use fire-resistant building materials.
Maintain wider access routes for emergency services.
Educate residents on the safe storage and use of LPG canisters.
Establish accessible water points and firefighting resources.
Integrate these efforts into broader disaster risk management strategies.

“Fire disasters account for 20% of the total disasters in Kenya, with direct property loss estimated at USD595,715. From 2014 to 2022, a total of 248 fire incidences were reported in Nairobi, about 30 of which occurred in the Gikomba market. Contribution of community in disaster risk management can never be overlooked in disaster resilience building”

Ongoro, D. J., & Muiya, B. M. (2023)

The Challenge

Involves continuous review and revision, incorporating feedback from each phase of design and implementation to refine fire risk strategies, adapt to new challenges, and improve community safety.

Enhances safety and resilience by empowering communities with fire risk management tools and strategies, enabling them to effectively respond to and recover from fire-related disruptions and daily challenges.

Respects community values and local knowledge by incorporating their input in fire risk management and mitigation strategies while ensuring sustainable practices that protect natural ecosystems and biodiversity.

Emphasizes collaboration by involving locals as equal partners, leveraging their firsthand understanding of daily challenges and disruptions to design effective, context-specific fire risk management solutions.

Ensures inclusive fire risk management by involving informal settlement residents in planning and decision-making while addressing their specific needs and rights without discrimination.

Key concepts

Fire Risk Reduction: Defines the strategies to minimize the likelihood and impact of fires.
Community Engagement: Involving residents in planning and decision-making processes.
Community Resilience: The ability of a community to withstand and recover from adverse events, such as fires.
Infrastructure Planning: Designing physical spaces to facilitate safety and response.
Sustainability: Ensuring practices do not harm the environment, are adaptable and easy to review and revise.

Main Themes

1. Inclusive and Integrated Approach

Rights and the City: Engages all stakeholders, including locals without discrimination in every phase ensuring their inputs are considered, and needs and rights addressed.
Collaboration and co-design: Work with locals as equal partners recognizing their deep understanding of local challenges and potential solutions.
Safety and Resilience: Focuses on building the community’s resilience to effectively handle and recover from fire-related incidents and disruptions.

2. Sustainability and Adaptability

Social and Ecological Balance: Implements strategies that protect natural ecosystems while considering community values and knowledge.
Review and Revise: Emphasizes continuous review, revising, and adapting strategies based on lessons learned and evolving challenges.

Bullet Points

Designated Assembly Points: Safe areas for residents to evacuate during emergencies.
Optimized Access Routes: Clear, wide paths for emergency vehicles and responders.
Fire Breaks and Retardants: Barriers and materials to prevent fire spread.
Integrated Water Supplies: Hydrants and communal tanks for firefighting support.
Collaborative Planning: Involves residents in the design and implementation phases.

Results/Outcomes

Enhanced Safety: Reduced fire hazards and improved emergency response capabilities.
Increased Resilience: Better preparedness and recovery from fire-related events.
Community Empowerment: Residents actively participate in and benefit from fire risk management strategies.
Sustainable Practices: Strategies that respect and incorporate both community needs and environmental conservation.

Thematic Sub-Areas

Fire Risk Reduction Techniques: Implementation of physical and procedural measures to lower fire risk.
Community Engagement Processes: Methods for involving residents in planning and decision-making.
Infrastructure Design: Planning and modifying physical spaces to improve fire safety.
Ecological Considerations: Integrating environmental protection into fire risk management strategies.
Adaptation and Learning: Continuous refinement of tactics based on feedback and evolving conditions.

How To

Planning &
Design

1. Community-Centered Design
In the planning and design phase, the tactic involves engaging informal settlement residents from the outset. Workshops and focus groups are organised to gather insights on daily challenges experienced, fire hazards, and preferred safety measures. This approach ensures that the design reflects the community's needs and knowledge.

2. Identifying Key Hazards and Vulnerabilities
Tools such as risk mapping and vulnerability assessments are essential in pinpointing areas of high fire risk, considering factors such as flammable materials and dense housing.

3. Designing Safe and Accessible Infrastructure
Fire breaks are incorporated into the design, and wider access routes are planned to allow fire trucks and emergency responders swift entry. Integrated water points, such as hydrants and communal tanks, are strategically placed to support firefighting efforts.
1. Ensuring Stakeholder Participation

All stakeholders, including residents, local authorities, NGOs and other interested parties, participate in the design process, ensuring that decisions are made collaboratively.

2. Adapting Traditional Knowledge

Local knowledge is integrated into the planning, respecting community values and practices. For instance, traditional/natural firebreaks or the use of local fire-retardant materials are adapted to the proposed design.

3. Continuous Feedback and Adaptation

The process should include mechanisms for regular review and revision, allowing for adjustments based on local feedback, evolving risks, and new challenges. This ensures the tactic remains relevant and effective in protecting the community and ecosystems.

Implementation & Use

1. Community-Led Construction

Locals actively participate in the implementation phase by aiding in the construction of fire breaks, clearing access routes, and installing fire-retardant materials. This hands-on involvement not only empowers the community but also ensures that the infrastructure aligns with local needs and practices.

It should also emphasize the use of local labour and materials, which fosters community ownership and supports the local economy. Fire-retardant materials sourced locally are incorporated into new and existing structures.

2. Training and Capacity Building

Training programs should focus on fire prevention, safe handling of gas canisters, and emergency response. This equips the community with the knowledge and skills to use the newly implemented safety measures effectively.

Using the newly installed infrastructure, dedicated community response teams can also be formed and trained to manage fire outbreaks. They work alongside formal emergency services to ensure swift and coordinated responses.
1. Ongoing Community Involvement

Throughout the use phase, residents are encouraged to report issues/challenges or suggest improvements, ensuring continuous refinement and improvement of the infrastructure.

2. Integration with Broader Systems

Integrating with broader disaster risk management systems, linking community efforts with city-wide emergency services and resources for a cohesive, effective response to fires and other emergencies.

Governance & Policy

1. Collaborative Policy Development

Local governments, NGOs, and community leaders collaborate to develop policies that support fire risk management in informal settlements. These policies focus on integrating fire safety measures into urban planning and ensuring that the unique needs of informal settlements are addressed in broader city governance.

Legal frameworks should also be developed to mandate fire safety standards in informal settlements, such as requiring the use of fire-retardant materials and the establishment of fire breaks. This legal backing ensures that fire risk management becomes a sustained priority.

2. Community Representation in Decision-Making

Locals are given a formal role in governance through community councils or advisory boards, ensuring their voices are heard in policy-making processes. This approach ensures policies are not only top-down but are shaped by those directly affected.

Fire risk management should also be integrated into Integrated Development Plans and urban policies on land use planning, infrastructure development, and disaster management. This integration ensures that fire safety is considered in all aspects of urban development.
1. Ongoing Policy Review and Adaptation

Policies are regularly reviewed and adapted based on feedback from residents and changes in settlement conditions, ensuring that governance remains responsive to the community’s evolving needs.

2. Aligning with National and Local Objectives

This ensures that fire risk management in informal settlements contributes to the broader goals of sustainable and inclusive urban growth.