New Amendments to the Fire Force Law

Decree-Law No. 85 of 2026 was issued to amend certain provisions of Law No. 13 of 2020 concerning the General Fire Force. The decree includes amendments related to disciplinary penalties, stipends for students, settlement of fire-related violations, the appointment of medical doctors, and the regulation of rules governing the recruitment, promotion, and termination of service for professionals.

The decree stipulates that the definition of “the Competent Minister” set forth in Article (1) of Law No. (13) of 2020 is replaced with a new definition: “The Competent Minister: The Minister designated by the Council of Ministers.”

Furthermore, the provision in the Law concerning disciplinary penalties imposed on members of the General Fire Force up to the rank of Colonel has been replaced. The penalties include reprimand, written warning, official caution, and assignment to additional services not exceeding 15 services per single violation, in accordance with the organized rules and guidelines. Other penalties include salary deduction for a period not exceeding 15 days per single violation, salary reduction by one-quarter for a period not less than three months and not exceeding 12 months per single violation, delay in promotion for a period not exceeding two years, and dismissal from service.

Financial Stipends for Students

The decree added two new articles, numbered “5 bis” and “32 bis,” to Law No. 13 of 2020. Article “5 bis” stipulates that students enrolled in the educational and training bodies of the General Fire Force shall be granted a financial stipend throughout the duration of their enrollment. A decision by the Competent Minister shall determine the value of this stipend and the rules for its disbursement, following coordination with the Ministry of Finance.

The explanatory memorandum clarified that this article aims to encourage national cadres to join fire-related specialties, representing an investment in human resources, while also enabling students to focus on their studies and training without financial burdens, similar to practices in military entities, thereby achieving the principle of functional equality.

Settlement of Fire Violations

Article “32 bis” permits the settlement of fire violations before initiating civil litigation or during its consideration, in cases that do not result in death or personal injury, in exchange for paying a financial amount not exceeding 10,000 Kuwaiti Dinars and removing the causes of the violation. A decision by the Competent Minister shall determine the violations eligible for settlement and the rules and procedures for doing so. Settlement results in the non-initiation or termination of civil litigation, depending on the circumstances, without affecting civil rights arising from the violating act.

According to the explanatory memorandum, allowing the settlement of fire violations before initiating civil litigation or during its consideration, in cases not resulting in death or personal injury, in exchange for paying a financial amount not exceeding 10,000 Dinars and removing the causes of the violation, helps reduce the burden on judicial authorities.

Appointment of Doctors at the Rank of Captain or Major

Article 3 of the Decree-Law added a new paragraph (c) after the second paragraph of Article (10) of Law No. 13 of 2020. It stipulates that human doctors may be appointed directly at the rank of Captain. If the doctor holds a specialization diploma with a study period of not less than one full year after obtaining a bachelor’s degree, they may be granted an addition to the rank of Captain, counted as one year of seniority. If the doctor holds a higher specialization certificate, they may be appointed directly at the first step of the rank of Major, with higher specialization certificates to be determined by a decision of the Minister.

The explanatory memorandum clarified that this amendment aims to provide specialized medical cadres capable of immediate response to injuries and critical cases, contributing to reducing medical intervention time.

Regulation of Professional Recruitment, Promotion, and Termination

The decree added a new paragraph to Article (16) of Law No. 13 of 2020, stipulating that a decision by the Competent Minister, after obtaining the opinion of the General Committee for the Affairs of the General Fire Force, shall establish the rules for the recruitment, promotion, and termination of service of professionals in the Fire Force, their salary schedule, and all matters related to their functional affairs. This is without prejudice to the provisions of Articles 5 and 38 of Decree-Law No. 15 of 1979 mentioned therein.

The explanatory memorandum stated that this aims to attract non-traditional competencies to fill technical and specialized shortages in the Fire Force and enhance field performance efficiency.

Repeal of Articles 17 to 20

Article 4 of the Decree-Law repealed Articles 17, 18, 19, and 20 of Law No. 13 of 2020. Article 5 mandated that Ministers, each within their respective jurisdiction, implement the Decree-Law and apply it from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

Explanatory Memorandum

The explanatory memorandum stated that Law No. 13 of 2020 concerning the General Fire Force was issued to regulate the fire service; however, practical experience revealed the need to amend certain provisions to address deficiencies and loopholes resulting from reality, with the goal of enhancing institutional performance efficiency, functional discipline, and compliance, ultimately achieving the highest rates of safety and fire prevention.

It noted that the Emir’s Order dated May 10, 2024, included a provision in Article (4) stating that laws are to be issued by decree-laws. Consequently, the draft Decree-Law, consisting of five articles concerning the amendment of certain provisions of Law No. 13 of 2020, was prepared.

The memorandum clarified that Article 1 replaced the definition of “the Competent Minister” set forth in Article (1) of the Law and introduced a new disciplinary penalty for members of the General Fire Force up to the rank of Colonel: assignment to additional services not exceeding 15 services per single violation, in accordance with the organized rules and standards. This contributes to diversifying approaches to addressing functional behavior, achieves the principle of proportionality, enhances functional justice, and ensures the effectiveness of the disciplinary system.

It further added that the introduction of Article “5 bis” regarding financial stipends for students aims to encourage national cadres to join fire-related specialties, invest in human resources, and enable students to focus on studies and training. Article “32 bis” allows for the settlement of fire violations in specified cases, ensuring compliance, removing the causes of violations, and reducing the burden on judicial authorities.

Regarding the amendment of Article (10), the memorandum explained that it aims to provide specialized medical cadres capable of immediate response to injuries and critical cases and to reduce medical intervention time. The amendment of Article (16) aims to attract non-traditional competencies to fill technical and specialized shortages and enhance field performance efficiency.

The memorandum concluded that Article 4 repealed Articles 17, 18, 19, and 20 of Law No. 13 of 2020, while Article 5 mandated the implementation and application of the Decree-Law from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.