Rwanda National Police

In a bid to foster public participation in overcoming fire outbreaks, Rwanda National Police (RNP) has reached out to local leaders, medical workers and teachers in Gakenke District to equip them with basic firefighting techniques.

On September 30, a team led by ACP Jean Baptiste Seminega, the Commanding Officer of the RNP Fire and Rescue Brigade, extended firefighting skills to Sector executive secretaries, medical workers in health centres and teachers.

They were also taught how to prevent fires from occurring as well as how to react instantly in case it breaks out.

ACP Seminega noted that public buildings, school and hospital premises should have fire extinguishers and that local leaders should teach the population on how to use such equipment in order to avert fires.

“As leaders, you should take the initiative to report any fire outbreak to police on a timely basis, as well as show people how they can contain the fire with available equipment before it spreads to other parts of the house, neighbourhood and bushes,” he said.

“After reporting to police, you should ask people to evacuate the building immediately. Acting responsibly by taking precautions and strong partnership through timely information sharing can prevent fire outbreaks from costing lives and damaging large amounts of property.”

He further urged them to sensitize local residents about the causes of fires, so that they keep away from starting dangerous fires.

He noted some of the major causes of fire outbreaks as; faulty electronic appliances, overloading and unattended candles.

Wild fires, he said, are caused by littered lit cigarettes, burning wastes in the garden and honey harvesting.

The Mayor of Gakenke, Déogratias Nzamwita, welcomed RNP efforts in ensuring that partnerships with the local population help to advance values of security and safety in society.

“We all have a role to ensure that our societies are free from not just crime, but disasters like fires. I urge school administrators to acquire these firefighting gadgets and extend these skills to students so that in cases fire breaks out, you have enough skilled manpower to respond to such disaster,” Nzamwita said.

Statistics from the Police Fire and Rescue Brigade indicate that 103 fires occurred throughout the country since the year began, claiming at least six lives and injuring five.

The majority of the fires were caused by careless use of flammable substances, faulty wiring and reckless use of electrical appliances, children playing with matches and candles, and use of cheap and defective electrical equipment.

Police has a fully fledged Fire and Rescue Brigade, with standby firefighters and trucks in all provinces ready to be deployed whenever a fire is reported.

Police toll free lines 111 and 112, as well as mobile line 0788311120 are always available for anyone to call in case of a fire outbreak.