Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, [email protected]
THE City of Bulawayo has acceded to a request by the Zimbabwe Fire Services Examination Board to appoint Chief Fire Officer Mr Mhlangano Moyo to sit on the national board.
The move is set to strengthen both the city’s fire services and the country’s broader emergency response framework.
The resolution was made following recommendations from the General Purposes Committee, which underscored the strategic importance of Bulawayo’s representation on the board.
“The Zimbabwe Fire Services Examination Board was established in 1981 by the Zimbabwe Local Authorities. The local authorities mandated The Institution of Fire Engineers (Zimbabwe branch) to run the board on their behalf.
“The board is responsible for setting and marking examinations and setting training standards for all fire brigades in Zimbabwe,” reads part of The Institution of Fire Engineers correspondence dated 2 January, 2026 to council.
“The certificates issued by the board are used by all the fire brigades for promotional purposes and are highly respected by commerce and industry requiring the services of people trained in this field,” reads part of the letter.
The institute noted that membership to the board is reserved for highly qualified professionals in the field of fire engineering.
“The minimum qualification for a person to be eligible to be a member of this board is to have passed the graduate examination of the Institution of Fire Engineers (UK).
“Mr Moyo is very much qualified as he is a holder of Master’s Degree in Fire. He is needed on the board to fill the position which was left by your former Chief Fire Officer, Mr Richard Peterson.
“It is important that Bulawayo be represented on the board and we are convinced that Mr Moyo’s vast knowledge will benefit not only Bulawayo but the nation’s emergency services.”
The board sits twice a year to set and mark examination papers and deliberate on issues affecting fire training and standards across the country.
According to the correspondence, the request for Mr Moyo’s appointment was viewed as progressive and in the best interests of the city and the nation.
“The board would appreciate it if your City Council accedes to this noble request for Mr Moyo to sit on this board. This was a welcome development, as it would provide, Mr Moyo (Chief Fire Officer) with the knowledge and skills needed to develop and train his team members effectively.”
Council subsequently resolved to agree to the request for Mr Moyo to sit on the Zimbabwe Fire Services Examination Board and to grant him special leave whenever he is required to attend board meetings.
Mr Moyo’s appointment is expected to enhance Bulawayo’s influence in shaping national fire service training standards, while at the same time ensuring that the city remains aligned with best practices in emergency preparedness and response.
The Bulawayo Fire Brigade is training scores of firefighters from Rural District Councils (RDCs), local municipalities and other organisations countrywide that include companies in the private sector, cementing its place as a centre of excellence in fire-fighting.
In the past, the Bulawayo Fire Brigade used to respond to emergencies in areas under the RDCs, which was very expensive.
Bulawayo has four fire stations namely Famona, which is the headquarters, Mpopoma, Tshabalala and North End.
The fire stations are strategically positioned to enable the Fire Brigade to quickly respond to distress calls. However, due to the rapid expansion of the city, there is urgent need to establish another fire station in Cowdray Park suburb.
