KUWAIT CITY, June 27: The Fire Prevention Sector personnel at Kuwait Fire Force (KFF) have been working continuously to guarantee public safety, while ensuring that all facilities in various areas adhere to security and safety regulations with the aim of mitigating the risks of non-compliance. In this context, KFF on Thursday implemented an administrative closure of 76 violating units in commercial shops, garages, restaurants, basements of investment buildings, public markets and industrial facilities in several governorates for failure to obtain licenses from the fire department; and noncompliance with safety and fire prevention regulations despite receiving warnings.

In a press statement, Inspection Supervisor at the Fire Prevention Sector in Jahra Governorate Brigadier Hassan Al-Shammari revealed that the fine for the abovementioned violations ranges from KD 5 to KD 50,000 after referring the violations to the judiciary. During an expanded campaign targeting wood scraps in Amghara on Thursday morning, Al-Shammari confirmed the closure of 11 facilities for violating the safety and fire prevention regulations in the presence of a large number of officers and individuals. He added: “Based on the directives of First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and Defense Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf and KFF Director Major General Khaled Fahad, the Fire Prevention Sector in Jahra Governorate continues its inspection campaign in industrial plots in the Amghara scrapyard to close the violating facilities.

Aside from the closure of 11 facilities, we uncovered violations of safety regulations and the violation reports were issued.” He confirmed that the campaign began two months ago; starting with the first warning followed by the second warning if the violation is not addressed. After this, a closure warning is issued, and then the facility is closed if the violation continues despite all the warnings. The violations were discovered in sawmills and other industrial crafts that lacked safety standards, which may cause huge fires.

Everyone must fully comply with the safety regulations to guarantee public safety and avoid closures, he added. He stressed the need to obtain firefighting licenses for all stores and to abide by the regulations of KFF, affirming the Fire Prevention Sector in Jahra Governorate makes continuous tours of all stores to ensure they have a firefighting license and that safety regulations are followed. In the same context, First Lieutenant Youssef Al-Zaher stated that the Fire Prevention Sector in the governorate continues to inspect stores, buildings and basements; and issues warnings to establishments that do not comply with the KFF regulations. He revealed that the number of facilities closed daily from five to seven, while emphasizing the need to adhere to the regulations and obtain firefighting licenses to avoid legal accountability and to protect lives and properties.

The scorching heat of summer did not prevent the fire prevention staff from continuing their inspection campaigns to ensure that the facilities adhere to safety conditions in order guarantee the safety of everyone. They did not hesitate to move from one facility to another to carry out inspection and monitoring works to identify potential dangers. The firefighters performed their work with perfection, dedication and sincerity under the direct supervision of Brigadier General Hassan Al-Shammari, First Lieutenant Yousef Al-Dhaher, and Public Relations Officer Fawaz Al-Farhan.

By Munif Naif, Jaber
Al- Hamoud Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff