- Kuwait has introduced new disciplinary, training and settlement provisions for its General Fire Force.
- Fire Force trainees will receive financial rewards, while new measures aim to attract specialist professionals and medical personnel.
- Certain fire-related violations can now be settled for up to KD10,000, provided there is no death or injury and the cause of the violation is removed.
Decree-Law No. 85 of 2026 amends provisions of Law No. 13 of 2020 and was published in Kuwait’s Official Gazette, Kuwait Alyoum, on 13 September.
Among the changes are revised disciplinary measures for General Fire Force personnel up to the rank of Colonel. These now include additional duties of up to 15 days for each violation, alongside measures including warnings, reprimands, salary deductions, delays to promotion and dismissal.
The explanatory memorandum said the introduction of additional duties is intended to provide a more proportionate disciplinary measure and improve the effectiveness of dealing with violations.
The amendments also introduce a financial reward for students enrolled in General Fire Force education and training programmes. The value of the reward and the rules governing it will be determined by the competent minister in coordination with the Ministry of Finance.
The measure is intended to encourage national personnel to enter firefighting-related specialisms and support trainees during their education and training.
A new provision also establishes a route for settling certain fire-related violations before or during criminal proceedings. Settlement will only be available for cases where no death or injury has occurred. It will require payment of up to KD10,000 and removal of the causes of the violation.
The competent minister will determine which violations are eligible and set out the applicable procedures. Where a settlement is accepted, criminal proceedings will not be initiated or will be terminated, depending on the stage of the case. Civil rights arising from the violation will not be affected.
The law also makes changes intended to strengthen specialist capabilities within the Fire Force. Human physicians may be appointed directly at the rank of Captain, while doctors holding higher specialist qualifications may be appointed directly at the rank of Major, subject to the provisions set out in the decree.
More broadly, the amendments allow rules to be established covering the appointment, promotion, termination of service and salaries of professional specialists within the Fire Force.
The explanatory memorandum said the changes are intended to help address technical and professional shortages and improve the efficiency of field operations.
The decree-law takes effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
