Kuwait amends General Fire Force law with new disciplinary, training and settlement provisions

13/09/2026

Kuwait amends General Fire Force law with new disciplinary, training and settlement provisions

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 13: Kuwait has issued Decree-Law No. 85 of 2026 amending several provisions of Law No. 13 of 2020 concerning the General Fire Force, introducing new measures covering disciplinary procedures, trainee allowances, settlement of certain fire violations, recruitment of specialized professionals and appointment of doctors.

The decree-law was published in the Official Gazette “Kuwait Alyoum” and aims to enhance institutional performance, professional discipline and compliance, while raising safety and fire prevention standards.

The main amendments are as follows:

Article One

The definition of the “competent minister” in Article 1 of Law No. 13 of 2020 has been replaced with:

“The competent minister: The minister designated by the Council of Ministers.”

The article also amends the disciplinary procedures that may be imposed on General Fire Force personnel up to the rank of Colonel. These include:

Warning.
Reprimand.
Warning.
Assignment of additional duties for up to 15 days for each violation, in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations.
Deduction from salary for up to 15 days for each violation.
Reduction of salary by the amount of the allowance for a period of not less than three months and not more than 12 months for each violation.
Delay of promotion for a period of up to two years.
Dismissal from service.

The explanatory memorandum said the addition of additional duties provides another disciplinary measure, helping ensure proportionality, professional justice and greater effectiveness in handling violations.

Article Two

Two new provisions, Articles 5 bis and 32 bis, have been added to Law No. 13 of 2020.

Article 5 bis provides that:

Students enrolled in educational and training programs of the General Fire Force will receive a financial reward throughout their period of enrollment.
The competent minister will determine the value of the reward and the rules for granting it in coordination with the Ministry of Finance.
The measure aims to encourage national cadres to join firefighting-related specializations.
It is also intended to enable students to concentrate on study and training without financial burdens, similar to arrangements in military institutions.

Article 32 bis provides that:

Settlement may be accepted before or during criminal proceedings in certain fire-related violations.
Settlement is allowed only in cases that do not result in death or injury.
The offender must pay a sum of money not exceeding KD10,000.
The causes of the violation must also be removed.
The competent minister will determine the violations eligible for settlement and establish the relevant rules and procedures.
Settlement will result in the criminal proceedings not being initiated or being terminated, as applicable.
Settlement will not affect civil rights arising from the violation.

Article Three

The decree-law introduces new provisions concerning the recruitment of doctors and professional specialists.

Regarding doctors:

Human physicians may be appointed directly to the rank of Captain.
A physician holding a specialization diploma requiring at least one full year of study after obtaining a bachelor's degree may receive an allowance in the rank of Captain.
The period of such study will be counted as one year of seniority.
A physician holding a higher specialization certificate may be appointed directly to the rank of Major at its first salary.
The higher specialization certificates qualifying for such appointment will be determined by a decision of the minister.

The explanatory memorandum said the provision is intended to provide the General Fire Force with specialized medical personnel capable of responding immediately to injuries and critical cases and reducing medical intervention times.

The article also introduces provisions allowing the competent minister, after considering the opinion of the General Committee for the Affairs of the General Fire Force, to establish rules covering:

Appointment of professionals in the Fire Force.
Promotion of professionals.
Termination of service.
Salary schedules.
Other matters related to their employment.

The aim is to attract non-traditional specialized competencies to address technical and professional shortages and raise the efficiency of field operations.

Article Four

Articles 17, 18, 19 and 20 of Law No. 13 of 2020 concerning the General Fire Force are cancelled.

Article Five

The ministers, each within their respective areas of responsibility, are tasked with implementing the decree-law.

The decree-law takes effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

The explanatory memorandum said Law No. 13 of 2020 was issued on Aug. 3, 2020, to regulate the fire service. Practical experience subsequently showed the need to amend certain provisions to address shortcomings and gaps and enhance institutional performance, professional discipline and compliance.

It said the amendments were also prepared following the Amiri Order of Oct. 5, 2024, which provided that laws would be issued by decree-laws.