In Kazakhstan, the strengthening of the material and technical base and the development of infrastructure for civil protection units continue. This year, 19 fire depots have been built across the country, 7 of which are universal, providing for the deployment of fire and medical services. This was reported at the Government session chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov by Minister for Emergency Situations Murat Mukhanov.

An analysis of the past year shows that during the heating season, over 55% of fires occur in the residential sector, specifically in private residential houses. The main causes of fires are violations of the rules for the installation and operation of electrical appliances, stove heating, and careless handling of fire. At the same time, the largest share of fatalities in fires and deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning falls on pensioners and temporarily unemployed individuals. In view of this, the ministry is implementing the following measures.

First of all, risk-oriented prevention in the residential sector is being carried out. Here, work is performed not by the number of houses, but by the degree of fire hazard. Unlike mass inspections, visits are carried out purposefully to families of socially vulnerable categories of the population, where the probability of a fire and the severity of its consequences require special attention.

“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.

As part of social assistance, together with local executive bodies, fire detectors are being installed. Since August alone, more than 13,000 devices have been installed. Since last year, a mandatory requirement has been in effect for individual residential houses to be equipped with autonomous smoke fire detectors. In addition, the installation of addressable fire alarm systems with signal transmission to a fire post or a mobile phone is provided in apartment residential buildings.

The Law "On Civil Protection" establishes the competence for commissioning high-rise residential buildings and facilities with mass attendance of people. The adoption of the new Construction Code has made it possible to enhance the safety assurance of construction objects.

In general, the measures taken are aimed at reducing potential risks and increasing the fire safety of the housing stock.

Citizens of retirement age account for a significant share among those who die during the heating season. In this regard, a special campaign "Ata-ananyn uin tekser" has been launched, aimed at identifying and eliminating fire risks directly at the place of residence of pensioners. Together with akimats and volunteers, targeted assistance is provided in ensuring the safety of their housing, and a hotline has been organized for prompt response to appeals.

In parallel, the phased digitalization of preventive work is being carried out. The mobile application "Tumar 112" has been developed, aimed at increasing the effectiveness of prevention in the residential sector. The application will make it possible to maintain electronic records of residential sector inspections, record fire risks with photo documentation and geolocation, and form a single database. In the future, the accumulated information will make it possible to determine the most vulnerable houses, track the elimination of identified violations, and provide duty services with up-to-date information for making operational decisions upon receipt of fire reports.

“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.

Special attention is required for the problem of group deaths of people in fires in the residential sector, in particular, when several members of the same family die. Last year, such tragic cases occurred in the Turkistan and North Kazakhstan regions.

To prevent such incidents, the ministry has conducted a targeted assessment of families, the state of heating equipment, and the identification of houses requiring special attention.

“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.

A separate risk factor remains the use of household gas cylinders in the private residential sector and public catering facilities. Violation of the requirements for their operation, storage, and refilling creates a threat of fires and explosions with severe consequences.

To reduce these risks, it was noted, it is necessary to strengthen control by gas-technical inspections under akimats over compliance with the requirements for the safe operation of gas-consuming systems and equipment.

Currently, a plant for the production of steel gas cylinders is operating in Kokshetau, and 500 units have already been produced. Additionally, the Ministry of Industry and Construction is working on launching the production of composite cylinders in the cities of Atyrau and Almaty.

The Ministry of Energy is working on introducing a system of labeling and accounting for gas cylinders, which will ensure control over their turnover and technical condition.

At the same time, the issue of phased decommissioning of outdated gas cylinders and the creation of a mechanism for their phased replacement with new ones requires a solution.

Thus, along with the development of domestic production, it is necessary to ensure a comprehensive approach to the safety of handling household gas cylinders, including their accounting, technical control, and timely replacement.

Attention is paid to teaching children the skills of safe behavior in emergency situations and the provision of first aid. Together with the Ministry of Education, open lessons, briefings, and practical exercises are held on an ongoing basis. Children's clubs "Young Rescuers and Firefighters" are actively developing; today there are 2.5 thousand of them across the country.

Currently, there is a decrease in the number of fires by about 12%, fatalities by 8.7%, and injured by 19%.

As part of enhancing operational response to emergency situations, the development of infrastructure and the strengthening of the material and technical base of the ministry's units continue. This year, 19 fire depots have been built across the country, seven of which are universal, providing for the functioning of fire and medical services. The procurement of more than 160 units of fire equipment, about 1.5 thousand items of equipment, and over 2 thousand items of combat clothing is being carried out.

The implementation of the departmental program "Auyr qutqarushylary" (Rural Rescuers), aimed at protecting remote rural settlements, continues. To date, 312 fire extinguishing points are functioning across the country, with 978 settlements in the service radius.

The issue of allocating 592 additional staff units has been resolved. This will strengthen the human resource capacity of rescue units and increase their readiness for operational response to emergency situations.

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