Fire officers from Mavoko sub county have urged the county government of Machakos to provide them with a fire station to make their work easy.
They said the region only has a fire department office, prompting them to respond to emergencies from their houses.
Led by Linus Kimathi, the fire crew told the press in Athi River Town on Thursday that the situation had exposed them to insecurity especially when responding to emergencies at night.
They said some of them live in slums away from the fire offices, hence have to walk long distances while reporting to work at late hours.
“We have persevered for long enough, majority of us cannot afford houses in decent estates within Athi River Town due to the fact that we are paid peanuts and therefore have to reside in slums due to a lot of responsibilities and more demanding needs,” said Kimathi.
Kimathi said the Machakos government had not allocated them allowances for transport, and they walk in the dark to the office to be ferried in fire engines each time emergencies occur.
He revealed that the defunct Mavoko Municipal Council used to offer them such allowances, including getting vaccinated on a monthly basis before devolution came to being.
Kimathi said their health had been ignored, adding that the government had not offered them insurance covers.
"We risk infecting our families after getting infections from accidents given that we don't have insurance covers, neither do we put on proper protective gears while undertaking operations,” said another officer who requested anonymity.
The officers said the county government should establish a well equipped fire station and a camp for the fire crew if it cannot offer them allowances.