UNIMAG and Pumps: The Fire Department's Shield for the Rainy Season

- Provision of a dedicated pump capable of drawing 70,000 liters of water per minute

- A 10-meter clearance from camps is required for setting up kitchens... and 5 meters between tents

- Ensure maintenance of household water extraction pumps and check for blockages in drainage sumps

- Electrical short circuits are among the leading causes of fires... Beware of haphazard and substandard wiring

As the rainy season approaches and preparations intensify to manage water accumulation and flash floods, and to rescue stranded individuals and vehicles and handle emergencies, Major General Mohammed Al-Gharib, Director of Public Relations and Media at the General Fireforce, confirmed that the Fireforce is fully prepared and ready for the season and for responding to various incidents and reports. This readiness is supported by equipping fire stations with specialized vehicles, pumps, and equipment to protect lives and property.

Al-Gharib told "Al-Rai" that the Fireforce possesses specialized vehicles for dealing with rainwater accumulation, including a Unimog vehicle, which is distinguished by its ability to operate in water up to 1.2 meters deep. It is equipped with a small boat for recovery and rescue operations, winches at both the front and rear to assist in extracting stranded vehicles, and a dedicated platform for transporting rescued individuals from the water.

He added that all fire stations in Kuwait are equipped with water extraction pumps that operate year-round. Preparations are further strengthened during the rainy season by providing rescue vehicles, standard and submersible pumps, along with specialized equipment including Unimog vehicles, rescue boats, and a large winch for vehicle recovery, enabling responses tailored to the nature of each incident.

He clarified that the most anticipated reports during the season involve vehicles and people trapped in rainwater, electrical fires caused by short circuits, as well as cases of people trapped in elevators due to power outages.

He further noted that the Force possesses a large pump dedicated to handling flash floods, which various government entities can utilize when needed. Its water extraction capacity exceeds 70,000 liters per minute, and it can pump water up to a distance of half a kilometer, thereby enhancing the ability to manage large water accumulations.

Al-Gharib emphasized the importance of homeowners preparing before the start of the rainy season by ensuring the maintenance of water extraction pumps, checking for blockages in drainage sumps, and verifying that pump capacity is appropriate for the size of the basement and the nature of the house.

He advised homeowners with car parks connected to basements to install barriers at the parking entrance to prevent rainwater from entering the basement, stressing that taking preventive measures helps reduce damage and protect lives and property.

In the event of rising water levels inside a home, he urged notifying occupants, ensuring that the ground floor and basement are clear of people, cutting off electricity to the affected floor via the main switch, moving to upper floors, and calling the emergency number 112 if there is danger.

With the start of the camping season, Al-Gharib confirmed that fire brigades are stationed at security points distributed across camping areas designated by the Kuwait Municipality, alongside fire stations spread across the governorates, to cover reports in both rural and residential areas. He clarified that emergency calls increase during the winter season compared to summer, encompassing fires in tents and vehicles, as well as cases of people trapped in rainwater accumulations in low-lying desert areas. He urged campers to adhere to safety requirements, foremost of which is maintaining a distance of at least five meters between tents, using high-quality electrical connections, and keeping lighting, heaters, and other heat sources away from tent roofs and walls. He also stressed the necessity of setting up kitchens at a distance of no less than ten meters from the rest of the camp, and that they must be constructed from KIRBI material. He warned against the dangers of using charcoal inside tents without adequate ventilation, emphasizing that using charcoal requires keeping doors and windows open when it is brought into the tent, and absolutely avoiding sleeping while it is present indoors, while ensuring it is completely extinguished and buried when removed.

Regarding the role of the Public Relations and Media Department, Al-Gharib explained that the department continues its awareness campaigns throughout the year through visits and lectures in government institutions, private entities, schools, and universities, aiming to raise awareness about the risks of fires and disasters caused by negligence. He concluded by reiterating that the winter season is an opportunity to enjoy mild weather and desert trips, but maintaining safety requires adherence to preventive guidelines, particularly concerning electrical connections and avoiding random or poor-quality wiring, noting that electrical short circuits are among the leading causes of fires that demand caution and attention.

In his closing remarks, Al-Gharib called on citizens and residents to comply with safety instructions in homes and camps, wishing everyone a safe season free from accidents and risks.

Colonel Al-Gharib noted that calls regarding elevator malfunctions and people trapped inside them are not limited to the rainy season; rescue teams handle such incidents throughout the year, whether due to high temperatures in summer or power outages and water ingress in winter.

He explained that fire brigades deal with these cases using specialized rescue tools to open elevators and extract trapped individuals, while taking necessary measures to ensure their safety.

Al-Gharib emphasized that providing accurate and sufficient information when contacting emergency services helps reduce response time, highlighting the importance of clearly specifying the incident location, whether in residential areas, camps, or rural regions.

He added that the officer from the unit dispatched to the incident site can communicate with the caller, who can send their location via phone, thereby helping teams reach the place faster and handle the situation more efficiently.