05 May NFPA urges Africa to strengthen fire safety amid shocking numbers

Fire safety gaps across Africa are widening as its urban growth outpaces the development of basic emergency infrastructure. 

This is leaving cities and rural communities increasingly exposed to preventable disasters, according to new analysis from the National Fire Protection Association. 

The report, based on first-hand accounts from fire safety professionals in Kenya and Uganda, highlights severe shortages in personnel, equipment and training, warning that current systems are struggling to keep pace with population growth and urban expansion. 

In Kenya, a population of about 57 million is served by roughly 1,500 firefighters and just 71 operational fire engines. Uganda, with more than 46 million people, has around 600 firefighters nationwide, with many fire stations relying on outdated vehicles. Response times can stretch to 45 minutes, and access to functioning hydrants is limited to a small fraction of urban areas. 

However, across the European Union, there is typically one firefighter for every 1,200 people, with emergency response times measured in minutes rather than nearly an hour. 

This, coupled with the fact that Africa’s population is projected to exceed 2.5 billion by 2050, means that infrastructure is not keeping pace. In many urban areas, hydrant networks are sparse or unreliable, electrical installations are often poorly regulated, and fire suppression systems such as sprinklers are largely absent in high-risk buildings.  

Data from the World Health Organization indicates that more than 95 per cent of burn-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, underlining the scale of the issue. 

While some governments have begun to strengthen regulations and invest in new fire stations, the report argues that a more comprehensive approach is needed. 

The National Fire Protection Association warned that African countries need to adopt new standards that could help address gaps in construction practices, electrical safety and emergency response systems.