Chronicle Editor
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
GOVERNMENT has hailed the relationship between Bulawayo City Council’s fire department and the United Kingdom-based rescue team Operation Florian.
Speaking during a tour of the Bulawayo main fire station, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe, who was accompanied by his deputy Albert Mavhunga, said for the Florian team to set aside some equipment, time and skills and come to Zimbabwe to share their knowledge and skills was a very commendable gesture.
“The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has a mandate to deal with all disasters in the country through our Civil Protection Department and fire is part of such disasters. Zimbabwe is building itself into global standards in firefighting and to have a team from the UK to come and assist us into training our firemen is something we will treasure for as long as Zimbabwe exists as a country,” said Minister Garwe.
He said with the equipment that the city has, it was befitting that it become a fire-fighting hub.
Chamber secretary Mrs Zhou earlier revealed that the station was training firefighters from 21 other local authorities in the country.
Minister Garwe was also shown four red Lions fire tenders that the city acquired from Belarus through devolution and three for Tsholotsho, Binga and Matobo Rural District Councils which are stationed at the Bulawayo Fire Station.
The three fire tenders will be delivered to the RDC after training of its fire tenders which is expected to take off this coming month.
Online Reporter