Bulawayo Fire Brigade launches fire safety training for public institutions

THE Bulawayo Fire Brigade has launched a comprehensive training programme targeting internal firefighting teams at public health institutions and other organisations with large workforces, in a bid to enhance fire safety and improve emergency response times.

The initiative aims to equip staff with basic firefighting skills, enabling them to respond promptly to fire outbreaks before emergency services arrive — a critical gap that has often proved costly in previous incidents across the city.

The first beneficiary of the programme was Mpilo Central Hospital, where nine staff members recently completed an intensive two-week firefighting course at the Famona Fire Station.

Bulawayo’s Chief Fire Officer, Mr Mhlangano Moyo, said the decision to roll out the training stemmed from growing concern over delayed fire reporting and a general lack of public knowledge on how to respond when a fire breaks out.

“We have witnessed disturbing cases where people either panic or simply watch as fires spread without taking action or even calling the Fire Brigade. In one incident in the CBD, a building was completely razed to the ground before anyone alerted us. That kind of delay costs lives and property,” he said.

Mr Moyo said Mpilo Central Hospital had taken the initiative to request training, becoming the first institution to benefit from the programme.

“We trained nine staffers at Mpilo on critical actions to take when a fire starts — from immediately calling the Fire Brigade to executing basic fire control measures before help arrives,” he said.
He emphasised that the first few minutes of a fire outbreak are the most crucial.

“Every second counts. The trained staffers now have the knowledge to act decisively, whether it’s during the day or night shift. That kind of preparedness saves lives,” he said.

Following Mpilo’s lead, Ingutsheni Central Hospital has also approached the Fire Brigade to request similar training for its staff. The programme is open to other institutions, with a nominal training fee charged to cover operational costs.

Last Friday, the nine newly trained Mpilo staff members were awarded certificates during a ceremony held at the hospital.

Mpilo Central Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Narcisius Dzvanga, praised the team for their dedication and described the training as a significant milestone in the hospital’s safety preparedness.

“The training by the Bulawayo Fire Brigade has prepared you for the unexpected, and I commend your perseverance and commitment to the tasks ahead. The training has not only equipped you with the technical skills of fire prevention and firefighting but also instilled in you the values of teamwork, discipline, and service,” he said.

The Fire Brigade’s initiative aligns with a Government directive issued in March this year, which tasked the department with spearheading the training of firefighters across the southern region. The programme will extend to rural district councils including Matobo, Hwange, Tsholotsho, Kusile, Insiza, and Bulilima, among others.