The decree replaces the definition of the competent minister in Law No. 13 of 2020 while adding a new disciplinary penalty of assigning extra services, capped at 15 per violation, for members of the General Fire Force up to the rank of colonel. It also provides for financial rewards aimed at encouraging Kuwaiti nationals to pursue specializations in firefighting and allows direct appointment of medical doctors at the rank of captain, or major for those holding advanced specialist certificates. The changes further organize the professional affairs of specialists within the force, according to the text published in Kuwait Al-Youm.
These updates address shortcomings that practical application of the 2020 law had revealed, with the goal of enhancing institutional efficiency, workforce discipline and overall rates of fire prevention and safety across the country. The decree was issued following a review that identified gaps in the existing framework governing the non-armed regulatory body responsible for firefighting, rescue operations and hazard prevention. A related assessment in the decree’s explanatory note stressed the need to modernize provisions that had been in place since the statute replaced the older 1982 legislation on the fire service.
Under the new Article 32 bis, reconciliation is permitted in fire safety violations before or during criminal proceedings provided they have not caused death or injury, in exchange for payment of a sum not exceeding 10,000 Kuwaiti dinars together with removal of the violation’s causes. The minister concerned will issue a decision specifying which violations qualify for such settlements along with the applicable rules and procedures. Reconciliation results in halting or terminating the criminal case without affecting any associated civil rights, the decree stated.
The original Law No. 13 of 2020 had restructured the fire service by establishing the General Fire Force as a dedicated entity focused on preventive safety measures, licensing, inspections and emergency response throughout Kuwait. That statute, which abrogated the 1982 fire force law, set unified standards for building safety, hazardous materials handling and public protection that the current amendments now seek to reinforce through stronger enforcement tools. Government records indicate the force operates under the oversight of a chief at the rank of lieutenant general or higher with defined operational independence in technical matters.
Additional provisions in the 2026 decree introduce incentives for study and specialization while streamlining the appointment process for qualified medical and technical personnel to bolster operational readiness. Such measures align with broader efforts to attract and retain national talent in critical public safety roles, where staffing levels directly impact response times and prevention outcomes. The decree takes immediate effect upon publication, applying to all relevant departments and personnel within the General Fire Force structure.
By reducing the judicial load through settlement options for minor infractions, the amendments are expected to allow faster resolution of routine safety cases while maintaining strict accountability for serious breaches. The force’s mandate continues to encompass licensing for commercial and residential premises, on-site inspections and coordination with other security agencies during emergencies. These latest revisions build directly on the foundational reforms introduced six years earlier to adapt the service to contemporary risks and administrative demands.
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