In a significant move to enhance fire safety, Kyrgyzstan has recently amended its Code of Offenses, intensifying penalties for violations of fire safety rules.

This decision, initiated by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, arrives against a backdrop of increasing fires and economic losses due to fire incidents in the nation.

Rising fire incidents and economic losses

Since 2013, Kyrgyzstan has witnessed a concerning uptick in the number and severity of fire incidents.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that in 2022 alone, the damage from fires escalated to over 3.2 billion soms.

This increase is partially attributed to more frequent fires in forests, mountains, and open areas, often caused by the burning of garbage and dry grass.

Such fires not only lead to economic damage but also decrease the protection of settlements.

Legislative changes and their impacts

A key factor in these escalating fire incidents is the legislative decisions taken in the past.

Notably, in April 2012, state fire supervision responsibilities were transferred to the State Inspectorate for Environmental and Technical Safety.

However, due to inadequate staffing, this service struggled to respond promptly and prevent fires effectively.

Furthermore, there was a reduction in the number of administrative misdemeanours that held individuals accountable for non-compliance with fire safety requirements.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations highlighted that existing measures, including penalties, were insufficient in influencing citizens’ adherence to fire safety norms, leading to a sense of impunity and repeated violations.

New penalties and expanded oversight

The revised legislation now includes more stringent penalties for various fire safety violations.

For instance, violations resulting in a fire that threatens life and health will incur fines of 13,000 soms for individuals, 23,000 soms for officials, and 75,000 soms for legal entities.

Additionally, the law addresses specific causes of fires, like the misuse of electrical equipment and careless smoking, with corresponding fines.

The bill also expands the list of articles under which the state body in fire safety can impose penalties, aiming to strengthen enforcement and compliance.

Broader fire safety initiatives

These legislative changes are part of broader efforts in Kyrgyzstan to enhance fire safety.

In December 2022, the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic No.

118 “On Fire Safety” was adopted, replacing the previous law from 1996.

This new law focuses on protecting citizens and property from fires through a comprehensive set of legal, organisational, economic, social, scientific, technical, and educational measures.

Additionally, there’s an ongoing project under the Concept of comprehensive protection of the population and territories from emergency situations for 2018-2030.

This project aims to modernise fire protection facilities and improve the regulatory framework of the Fire Service, with particular attention to vulnerable groups like women and children.

IFSJ Comment

The recent legislative amendments in Kyrgyzstan represent a critical step towards enhancing fire safety and reducing the risk of fire-related incidents.

By introducing stricter penalties and expanding the scope of enforceable fire safety regulations, the Kyrgyz government demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing the escalating fire incidents and related economic losses.

These efforts are crucial for safeguarding the lives, health, and property of citizens and align with broader initiatives to strengthen the nation’s overall emergency response and disaster preparedness capabilities.

The focus on including vulnerable groups in these safety measures further underscores the inclusive and comprehensive nature of Kyrgyzstan’s fire safety strategy.