Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
THE Bulawayo Fire Brigade has once again proved to be the centre of excellence in fire-fighting training as the city hosts 20 local municipalities, companies and rural district councils (RDCs) on diverse fire-fighting and rescue tactics.
The training exercise is being conducted by a team from Operation Florian, a UK-based fire-fighting charity, and started at the Famona Fire Station yesterday following arrival in Bulawayo on Monday.
It is the first time that RDCs are participating in the training programme since receiving fire engines purchased through Government devolution funds, resources used to finance infrastructural development and other public service provisions.
RDCs such as Tsholotsho and Bubi, which previously did not have fully fledged fire departments and depended on volunteer fire-fighters to fight infernos, have received fire tenders from Government and have started recruiting fire-fighters.
“This year’s training programme consists of 18 trainers and six students from Operation Florian and we have a number of local authorities and entities such as the Airports Company of Zimbabwe and a few rural district councils taking part,” Bulawayo chief fire officer, Mr Nhlangano Moyo, said.
“The training started today (yesterday) with teams of fire fire-fighters ranging from junior to senior officers taking part in various courses that will improve their skills and expertise.”
He highlighted the importance of Bulawayo hosting the annual training programme that is supervised by skilled fire-fighting personnel from the UK saying it is proof that the city is cementing its place as a centre of excellence in fire-fighting capabilities. “Bulawayo fire-fighters continue to gain skills and expertise in firefighting thanks to the training that they receive every year from Operation Florian.
“Our local fire-fighters are in good technical shape through continuous capacity building programmes and Government recognises the work that we are doing by seconding other municipalities to send their teams for the yearly training with Operation Florian,” he added.
Chronicle yesterday observed teams of fire-fighters being taken through drills such as the extraction of critically injured victims of car accidents from wreckages by delicately cutting mangled metal to rescue trapped individuals before they are ferried to nearest health facilities.
Other teams were also taken through simulations of rescuing people trapped in high rise buildings engulfed in a fire while municipality motor mechanics were taught how to repair fire engines. Some officers were also taken through first aid training, key immediate assistance given to a person going through a medical emergency with care provided to preserve life and prevent the condition from worsening.
The City of Bulawayo and Operation Florian have a long-running partnership that aims to establish a collaboration that benefits both parties in terms of fire-fighting expertise and future relationships.
Bulawayo has in the past received an ambulance, fire engines and specialised equipment from Operation Florian as part of the partnership.
Since its establishment in 2011, the training programme has already trained over 800 fire-fighters, attracting participants from neighbouring countries such as Zambia and Botswana.
The programme has, thus, become a cornerstone of sustainable development in the region, promoting knowledge exchange and capacity building.
The partnership between Operation Florian and the City of Bulawayo exemplifies the potential for international collaboration to foster sustainable development.
By sharing expertise and resources, both parties have gained valuable insights and improved their fire-fighting capabilities. The long-term impact of the programme is evident in the growing number of competent fire-fighters and the improved emergency management services in Bulawayo.
“Operation Florian has capacitated the City of Bulawayo Fire and Ambulance Services in terms of technical and material resources,” said Mr Moyo.
“At one point we had two fire engines that were meant to guard against properties and during that period we were found wanting in terms of dealing with emergency calls and rescue missions.
“Now the Fire Brigade boasts state of the art fire-fighting equipment, which is also used in developed countries. The fire department also boasts of tablets that we use on GIS system for navigation on fire calls and easy identification of fire hydrants,” said Mr Moyo.
“Local authorities taking part include Harare, Chegutu, Kariba, Kadoma, Kwekwe, Gweru, Beitbridge, Gwanda, Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ), Chitungwiza, Mutare, Rusape, and Masvingo among others.”
The visiting team will train fire-fighters in the following courses, senior officers, junior officers, breathing apparatus, road traffic collisions, fire officer practical core skill, technical fire safety, rope rescue, emergency driver familiarisation and first aid.
