NPS AND PCPM LAUNCH BASIC URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE ORIENTATION COURSE

The National Police Service (NPS), through the Kenya Police Service’s National Disaster Management Unit (NDMU), in partnership with the Polish Centre for International Aid ( Fundacja Polskei Centrum Pomocy Miedzynarodowej PCPM), has officially launched a Basic Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Orientation Course. The course, which will run from September until early next year, brings together 20 officers—eight from the NDMU and twelve from various police formations and regions. This first cohort will form a "light team", in line with the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) classification, which categorizes teams of 20, 50, and 100 members as light, medium, and heavy, respectively.

The NDMU, established by a presidential directive in August 2013, continues to play a central role in building Kenya’s disaster management capabilities. This new training will equip officers with skills in security, public safety, and technical rescue operations, enhancing Kenya’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to disasters. Since its establishment in 2006, PCPM has implemented over 200 humanitarian projects in more than 30 countries. Its Kenya office, based in Kiambu, has been instrumental in building partnerships that strengthen local response capacity. 

Speaking virtually at the launch, the PCPM Project Coordinator, Dr. Magdalena Jarocka, emphasized that the training would help build the capacity of Kenya’s rescue services to conduct professional search and rescue operations during disasters. The Director of the NDMU, Dr. Duncan Ochieng, AIG, congratulated the officers on qualifying for the course and urged them to harness both their individual strengths and collective teamwork. He reminded them that the responsibility they bear is both a test of competence and leadership, and a commitment to serve Kenyans in times of crisis. “The team not only restores hope to Kenyans but also reassures both the nation and the international community of the government’s disaster preparedness,” he said, calling on the officers to embrace unity, service, and dedication to duty. 

Those present at the ceremony included the Deputy Director of the NDMU, Mr. Samuel Mutunga, CP; the National Volunteers Coordinator and Executive Treasurer of the Kenya Police Football Club, Mr. Malkit Singh Main; the National Volunteers Deputy Coordinator, Dr. Richard Kubo; and Mr. Yakub Mohammed, ASP.