Kazakhstan has built 19 new fire stations in 2026. Seven are multifunctional facilities designed to accommodate both firefighting and medical services, according to an official Government report presented by Minister for Emergency Situations Murat Mukhanov at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov on November 10, DKNews.kz reports.
The country is also expanding its emergency response workforce, purchasing new firefighting equipment and introducing digital tools to identify fire risks in residential buildings.
The measures come as authorities report a decline in fires and casualties, although private homes remain particularly vulnerable during the heating season.
More than half of winter fires occur in residential buildings
According to the Ministry for Emergency Situations, an analysis of the previous year showed that more than 55% of fires during the heating season occurred in the residential sector, particularly in private houses.
The most common causes include:
- Improper installation and operation of electrical appliances.
- Violations of safety requirements when using stove heating.
- Careless handling of fire.
Pensioners and temporarily unemployed people account for a significant proportion of deaths caused by fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
To address these risks, the ministry is moving toward targeted prevention, prioritizing households where the probability of fire and the potential consequences are particularly serious.
More than 93,000 vulnerable households identified
Authorities have registered more than 93,000 homes belonging to socially vulnerable categories of the population.
Since August 2026, emergency services have been conducting targeted house-to-house inspections, examining heating stoves, chimneys and electrical installations.
«Today, over 93,000 houses of this category are registered. Since August 2026, as part of preparations for the heating season, house-to-house inspections have been carried out with an inspection of stove heating and electrical equipment. Individual identified violations are eliminated on the spot; chimney cleaning, repair of stoves and power supply systems have been carried out; residents are explained the rules of fire safety,» the minister reported.
Unlike mass inspections, the programme focuses on properties with the greatest risks.
Where possible, inspectors eliminate dangerous conditions immediately. Their work includes cleaning chimneys, repairing stoves and electrical systems, and explaining fire safety requirements to residents.
More than 13,000 fire detectors installed since August
The Ministry for Emergency Situations is working with regional administrations to install fire detectors in residential buildings as part of social assistance programmes.
More than 13,000 devices have been installed since August 2026.
According to the ministry, a mandatory requirement for individual residential houses to have autonomous smoke detectors has been in effect since 2025.
Apartment buildings are also covered by provisions for addressable fire alarm systems capable of transmitting alerts to a fire safety post or a mobile phone.
These measures are intended to improve early detection of fires, particularly in homes where residents may have difficulty responding quickly to an emergency.
The ministry also highlighted legislative changes involving the Law on Civil Protection and the new Construction Code, which strengthen safety requirements for high-rise residential buildings and facilities accommodating large numbers of people.
Special campaign launched to protect pensioners
Older residents remain a priority because they account for a substantial share of fatalities during the heating season.
To reduce these risks, the ministry has launched a campaign called “Ata-ananyn uin tekser”, focused on identifying and eliminating fire hazards in pensioners' homes.
Regional akimats and volunteers are participating in the initiative, providing targeted assistance to improve household safety.
A dedicated hotline has also been established to respond promptly to requests for assistance.
The campaign aims to address dangerous conditions before they lead to fires or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Tumar 112 app begins pilot testing in Abai Region
Kazakhstan is also introducing digital technology into residential fire prevention.
The Ministry for Emergency Situations has developed a mobile application called Tumar 112, designed to bring inspection records and emergency response information into a single digital system.
The application is intended to provide several functions:
- Electronic registration of residential inspections.
- Documentation of fire hazards using photographs and geolocation.
- Creation of a unified database of residential fire risks.
- Monitoring whether identified violations have been corrected.
- Providing emergency duty services with relevant information when fire reports are received.
The system is expected to help authorities identify the most vulnerable homes and make better-informed decisions during emergency responses.
«Thus, a single digital system is being created, combining prevention and operational response. Now the project has been launched in pilot mode in the Abai region. Based on the results of testing, its further implementation in the regions is planned,» Murat Mukhanov reported.
The application is currently being tested in Abai Region. Its expansion to other regions will depend on the results of the pilot project.
Government seeks stronger protection against family fire tragedies
The ministry also addressed incidents in which several members of the same family die in residential fires.
Such tragedies occurred in Turkistan and North Kazakhstan regions during the previous year.
In response, emergency services have assessed household conditions, heating equipment and the needs of families requiring additional attention.
However, Mukhanov emphasized that inspections alone cannot eliminate the danger.
«However, practice shows that the efforts of the ministry's units alone are not enough, and the risks of repetition of such tragedies persist. It is obvious that prevention and the identification of violations in themselves do not ensure the safety of citizens. Ensuring the fire safety of the residential sector requires more active and systematic participation of interested state and local executive bodies, as well as a responsible attitude of the citizens themselves. In this regard, akimats need to create interdepartmental working groups and ensure the improvement of housing and living conditions in the homes of citizens in need of social support,» the minister noted.
The proposed approach involves closer cooperation between emergency services, local authorities and social support agencies.
It also places greater emphasis on improving living conditions in homes where unsafe heating or electrical systems create persistent risks.
Kokshetau plant produces first 500 steel gas cylinders
Household gas cylinders remain another major safety concern, particularly in private homes and catering establishments.
Violations involving their storage, refilling and operation can lead to fires and explosions.
The ministry called for stronger supervision by gas safety inspections operating under regional akimats.
Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is developing domestic production of safer replacement equipment.
A steel gas cylinder plant is operating in Kokshetau and has already produced 500 cylinders.
The Ministry of Industry and Construction is also working on plans to establish composite gas cylinder production in Atyrau and Almaty.
These additional facilities have not yet been reported as operational.
Gas cylinder tracking and replacement system under development
The Ministry of Energy is working on a labeling and registration system for household gas cylinders.
The proposed system would allow authorities to monitor cylinder circulation and technical condition.
Another unresolved issue is the gradual withdrawal of outdated cylinders and their replacement with new equipment.
According to the ministry, an effective approach must combine domestic production with registration, technical inspections and timely replacement.
This is particularly important for equipment that has remained in circulation beyond its intended service life.
2,500 children's rescue clubs operate across Kazakhstan
Fire prevention efforts also extend to schools and children's educational activities.
Together with the Ministry of Education, emergency services regularly organize safety lessons, briefings and practical exercises.
Children are taught how to behave during emergencies and how to provide basic first aid.
Kazakhstan currently has approximately 2,500 Young Rescuers and Firefighters clubs.
The initiative aims to develop practical safety skills and encourage responsible behavior from an early age.
Fires decrease by 12%, fatalities by 8.7%
The Ministry for Emergency Situations reported improvements in several key safety indicators.
Current figures show:
- 12% decrease in the number of fires.
- 8.7% decrease in fire-related fatalities.
- 19% decrease in the number of people injured.
The figures indicate progress in reducing fire-related harm, although the ministry stressed that risks remain high during the heating season.
Preventive inspections, early warning devices and improved emergency response capacity remain central to its strategy.
19 new fire stations and additional rescue equipment
Alongside prevention, Kazakhstan is expanding the infrastructure available to emergency response teams.
During 2026, 19 fire stations have been constructed nationwide.
Seven are multifunctional facilities designed to accommodate both firefighting and medical services.
The ministry is also procuring:
- More than 160 firefighting vehicles and other specialized units.
- Approximately 1,500 pieces of equipment.
- More than 2,000 sets of protective firefighting clothing.
These purchases are underway and should not be confused with equipment already delivered.
The infrastructure expansion is intended to improve operational readiness and strengthen the ability of emergency services to respond to incidents.
312 rural firefighting points cover 978 settlements
The ministry is continuing its Auyr qutqarushylary (Rural Rescuers) programme, which focuses on improving emergency response coverage in remote rural communities.
Currently, 312 firefighting points operate across Kazakhstan.
Their service areas cover 978 settlements, extending emergency response capacity to communities located far from major urban centers.
Rural coverage remains important because distances and travel times can complicate firefighting operations in remote areas.
592 additional positions approved for rescue services
The Government has also resolved the allocation of 592 additional staff positions for emergency response units.
The increase is intended to strengthen personnel capacity and improve readiness to respond to emergencies.
Combined with new fire stations, equipment procurement and digital prevention tools, the staffing expansion forms part of a broader effort to improve civil protection infrastructure.
The ministry's priorities for the heating season remain focused on residential fire prevention, protecting vulnerable households and improving the speed and effectiveness of emergency response.
Earlier, we reported on Kazakhstan's efforts to strengthen fire safety controls over household gas equipment, including inspections of residential buildings, installation of warning detectors and measures to address unsafe gas cylinders.
