Agencies conduct 2nd National preparedness drill

Agencies conduct 2nd National preparedness drill

A second National disaster preparedness drill involving multiple agencies has been carried out in Diani Beach, Kwale County.

The drill was meant to test the responsiveness of the disaster response agents on Chemical Biological, Radio and Nuclear (CBRN) terror attack if it were to transpire in the country.

“KDF now possesses state of the art detection, identification and decontamination equipment. They have also been trained to a high level of excellence that has made them a recognized international leader on CBRN response capabilities,” said Mark Allan, a USA Embassy representative.

The drill entailed calculated steps intended to contain the level of contamination or threats that would be posed by such an attack. A coordinated response by different agencies would then fall into play to contain the problem.

Coast region coordinator Nelson Marwa praised the efforts by the agencies involved and insisted that such security drills should be carried out all over the country to heighten alertness to threats of terror attacks.

“We should be in a state of preparedness because threat is real, terrorism is real and we have to face it head on” he said

“I want to urge all counties to team up with the national government. Now we have trainers. The US government has trained us. We should take advantage to improve our security levels,” said Marwa.

Kenya Red Cross Society Secretary General Abbas Gulet said that the level of coordination between the agencies is impressive.

“The level of coordination executed is outstanding. As a nation, we must better manage and coordinate our response to alleviate the suffering of ordinary Kenyans,” Gulet said.

“In June of 2014, we invited our friends from the Israeli Red Cross (Magen David Adom), to come into Kenya to work with us on establishing protocol for mass casualty incident. We brought in 67 agencies, led by the government of Kenya and various agencies ministries and departments. Our first drill was done in on November 2014 in Embakasi at the military base,” he said.

The Director of National Counter Terrorism Centre Ambassador Martin Kimani said the exercise showcased the effectiveness of the agencies.

“The professionalism of the response, the speed and efficacy provided by the response is critical to ensure our peace.” He said

The exercise was a combined simulated action by County Government of Kwale, regional administration, Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), Kenya Police, Kenya Wildlife Service, Red Cross, St John’s Ambulance and the governments of USA and Israel.

Tags:

kenya police Kwale County Kenya Wildlife Service Red Cross . Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) County Government of Kwale Coast region coordinator Nelson Marwa Kenya Red Cross Society Secretary General Abbas Gulet regional administration St John’s Ambulance and the governments of USA and Israel

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