The Kenya Pipeline Company is upgrading the capacity of the Morendat Institute of Oil and Gas to ensure it offers quality training on disaster management.
Morendat has been training firefighting experts for counties and other institutions.
Speaking at the KPC depot in Eldoret yesterday, chief executive Joe Sang said the company is installing new training equipment and other needs at the college to enhance its capacity.
“It is anticipated that with the use of the modern equipment, graduands from Morendant will take firefighting and disaster preparedness in the country at large to a higher level,” Sang said.
“Thus safeguarding lives, property and the environment.”
He was speaking during the launch of modern Live Fire and Training Equipment, the only one of its kind in the region.
The launch was presided over by Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii.
The CEO said the new equipment, which uses different props, can simulate different types of fire, is environmentally friendly and offers real-life experience to the trainees at the college.
Also installed at the institute is a self-contained filling station for recharging used breathing apparatus.
Sang said firefighters are exposed to toxic gases in the line of duty.
He said they need protection if the firefighting and rescue activities are to be carried out effectively.
The installed explosion-proof machine can fill up to six cylinders in 30 minutes.
A number of counties have already trained firefighters at the institute.
Sang said the vision of Morendat Institute of Oil and Gas is to be an international centre of excellence for oil and gas skills development.
He said the institute would ensure the country is endowed with world-class professionals, especially in specialised areas such as firefighting, disaster preparedness, workplace health and safety and environment and pipeline welding.
With devolution, he said, county governments had become the indisputable frontiers for the country’s social, economic and political development.
“This means it’s a must for all county governments, health facilities, learning institutions and establishments to have in place effective and efficient disaster preparedness and mitigation regimes in readiness for response and recovery from emerging disasters,” Sang said.
He said Morendat is the only institute in the oil and gas sector to take the lead in partnering with county governments with the aim of filling the skills gap in disaster management.
“We are, therefore, committed to enhancing the capacity of county governments and all organisations/institutions to effectively manage the impact of disasters and emergencies such as fire outbreaks,” Sang said.
Governor Bii said they would strengthen the partnership with KPC and Morendat to enhance the county's capacity in disaster management.
