Chronicle Editor
Uzile Mkwananzi, Sunday News Reporter
FIRE Prevention Zimbabwe (FPZ) will on Wednesday conduct a fire safety management training for all retail service stations operating in the Matabeleland region, at their offices in Bulawayo.
The organisation, led by its director, Mr Reggies Sibanda, has been actively involved in fire prevention initiatives in the country. With his extensive training from both local and international learning institutions, Mr Sibanda will be taking the participants through the training, equipping participants with important fire prevention skills.
“As an organisation, we have realised that there are a lot of fires taking place at service stations, some due to staff turnover, we have decided to conduct a fire prevention training. A lot of forecourt attendants are not being retained for a long time hence the new ones that are there, are not trained properly so we have realised a gap in that area and it needs serious attention so as to save people’s lives,” said Mr Sibanda.
He said the training for the forecourt attendants, management and service station staff at large was aimed at raising awareness on the importance of having staff, especially forecourt attendants trained the moment they start their jobs as that is a crucial step.
“This training is part of the required statutes and standards for the service stations and it seeks to reduce fire incidents at the service stations, hence we urge all service stations to come and register for this event,” he said.
Various topics are lined up for the training ,which will include but not limited to building fire teams for the sites, disaster preparedness, safety decanting procedures and all the relevant standards for the service stations.
“This event will take place in Bulawayo at the FPZ offices, Robert Mugabe Way and 14th Avenue and we will be awarding certificates of participation. We are asking all service station owners and dealers to come forward and register at Fire Prevention Zimbabwe and be part of this educational experience,” said Mr Sibanda.
Last year the city witnessed a number of fires inclusive of one at a service station in the Kelvin North industrial areas, which resulted in the loss of property valued at millions of dollars.
Online Reporter