11/08/2026
The County Government of Kisumu has kicked off a new 10-day training programme for city workers, targeting ambulance operators, emergency vehicle drivers, and personnel involved in fire engine dispensing and dispatch, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the county's emergency response capacity.
The training, which began yesterday and is being conducted by the Emergency Medicine Kenya Foundation (EMKF), is designed to equip participants with the practical skills required to operate emergency vehicles safely, dispatch fire engines without delay, and coordinate effectively with the Kisumu County Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) during live incidents. It places heavy emphasis on real-world application, giving city workers hands-on exposure to the routines they will be expected to follow while on duty.The programme builds on the County Government's continued partnership with EMKF, which has, in recent months, worked to strengthen personnel capacity across the county's emergency response chain, from EOC dispatchers to the crews who respond on the ground. City officials note that a well-trained EOC means little without ambulance operators and fire crews who can execute on that coordination in real time, and this training is intended to close that gap.
Kisumu County operates a 24-hour Emergency Operations Centre at the City Headquarters, serving as both the county's central command point for disaster response and its public ambulance dispatch centre.
The training runs through to the end of next week, after which participants are expected to return to their duty stations better equipped to handle emergency vehicle operations and coordinate seamlessly with the EOC during real incidents.
Members of the public can report medical emergencies, fires, floods, road traffic crashes, and other disasters by calling the County's toll-free emergency number 1542, available 24 hours a day through the Emergency Operations Centre.
The County Government of Kisumu says it remains committed to investing in modern emergency management systems, skilled personnel, and strategic partnerships to ensure residents receive timely, high-quality emergency response services.