By John Ndegwa / BMA
The 8th Edition of the International Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Fire Symposium and Competition 2025 officially kicked off today at Bandari Maritime Academy, bringing together over 500 participants from across Kenya and beyond.
In his welcoming remarks, Bandari Maritime Academy Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Eric Katana, expressed his sincere gratitude to the organizers for their commitment and vision in convening this year’s symposium. He lauded the platform for fostering cross-sectoral dialogue and capacity building among professionals dedicated to saving lives.
“This year’s theme, ‘Strengthening Emergency Response through Collaboration, Training and Cross Learning,’ is both timely and vital. As a Maritime training institution, Bandari Maritime Academy remains committed to advancing safety and emergency preparedness, not only within the Maritime domain but across all sectors that contribute to Kenya’s Blue Economy and national development,” said Dr. Katana.
The Mombasa County Government was represented by Chief Officer in the Governor’s Office, Jibril Maalim, who commended the symposium for complementing the County’s disaster preparedness and response strategies.
Kenya Council of Emergency Medical Technicians Chairperson, Eunice Wanjiku, emphasized the importance of continuous training, professional networking, and policy alignment to strengthen emergency and rescue operations in the region.
The symposium will feature practical demonstrations, competitions, panel discussions, and workshops focusing on emerging trends in emergency medical care, firefighting, and disaster management. Participants will engage in simulation drills and technical sessions aimed at improving coordination during real-life emergencies.
Delegates from Uganda, Malawi, the United States of America, various County Governments, the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), and members of the Emergency Medical and Fire Services fraternity have converged at the Academy for the five-day event aimed at enhancing collaboration, training, and knowledge exchange in emergency response.
