Rwanda National Police

The first ever firefighting course at the Police Training School in Gishari, Rwamagana District, was successfully concluded as a bolster to extinguishing fire outbreaks before they harm lives or property.

The course involved 60 police officers and 39 civilians who spent three months training in both general firefighting techniques and specialized areas of expertise, including rescue operations, fire suppression and search operations.

The grandaunts received their certificates in a ceremony on January 30, officiated by the state Minister of Education in charge of TVET, Albert Nsengiyunva, in the presence of other dignitaries including Minister of Internal Security, Sheikh Musa Fazil Halerimana and Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana, among others.

In his message, Nsengiyunva said that the training will go long way in establishing a well trained force that can utilize both their skills and available firefighting equipment to secure areas that suffer fire threats.

“Training officers is necessary, but training civilians in such techniques is also an added advantage. The people who graduated today will help safeguard Rwanda’s development, by ensuring that fire outbreaks are extinguished before they become a menace to society,” Nsengiyunva said.

“I commend Police for emphasizing skills, knowledge and empowerment through continuous training of its officers in various fields. To those who have graduated today, make sure you put in practice what you have learnt and ensure that Rwanda’s development is safeguarded against threat of fire.”

One of the graduates, Assistant Inspector of Police, Jonas Bizinde, expressed approval for the training, stating that his newly acquired skills will give him the ability to work more professionally in securing areas that may face fire threats.

The Principle of Gishari Integrated Polytechnic , Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sam Karemera, said that every society needs a committed force of both police officers and citizens, who understand the causes of fire and have the skills and courage necessary to extinguish it.

“The major hazards associated with fire outbreaks are , bad electric wiring, elevated temperatures and toxic atmospheres. The grandaunts got skills in conducting the first basic step of a firefighting operation, including searching for the origin of the fire and rescuing casualties,” he said.

“All fires are not extinguished the same way. This was a key lesson that the grandaunts learnt. After analyzing the fire scene, they can then extinguish it either by water, liquid foam or through other authorized means.”

Fire outbreaks have so far been the most common disaster in recent past, with 326 fires registered across the country since 2011.

Police has standby fire trucks ready to tackle fire outbreaks wherever they may occur in the country, while in November last year, it unveiled a special fire extinguishing truck with capacity to salvage outbreaks on storey buildings.

The truck has a 55-metre ladder that can be raised to enable trapped people to climb down while the fire is put out.

The force also established a toll free number, 111, which citizens can call for emergency in case of a fire outbreak.