06 Aug 2014

Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) vice chancellor, Prof. Hillary Inyang has commended fire fighters graduates for putting their lives on line to save lives.

Speaking during Basic Firemanship Class of 2014 graduation ceremony in Palapye, Prof. Inyang commended fire fighters for their bravery and willingness to save their country from all types of fire.

He said fires were a menace worldwide and their effects included loss of biodiversity, occupational losses in agriculture and industrial systems, loss of life and damages to human health.

Prof. Inyang stated that fires posed a serious challenge considering that the assets that were often destroyed by fires are instruments of economic productivity, adding that sectors such as tourism, industrial systems and health systems are usually affected negatively by fires.

He said training fire fighters was the most direct response of fire-outbreaks adding that “you are now recognized not only as fighters but as life savers. No act is more than putting your life on-line to save others.”

Prof. Inyang pledged to collaborate with Palapye fire station as well as other government organisations adding that the doors of BIUST would be open to fire fighters graduates for further training in relevant fields.

Furthermore, he said this country has embarked on Economic Diversification Drive along with National Development Plan which focuses on infrastructure development and societal operational systems.

He said hazards of all kinds accompanying economic development amongst them fires, road accidents, dusts, droughts, floods, exploitations at various time and spatial scales do exist.

Fires can result from natural or human causes and that vulnerability will increase as the population density increase, he said.For his part, Palapye based fire controller, Mr Whitfield Joshua said Central District Council Fire Department has been playing a leading role in fire training and so far it has trained 314 people sourced from cities and district councils.

The course, he said was based on International Fire Standard Training Manual, covering topics such as fire fighter’s safety and health, fire behavior, rescue and extrication.

For his part, Member of Parliament for Palapye, Mr Moiseraele Goya said as the country embarks on NDP 11, there was a need to consider setting up a training center in Palapye, as shortage of firefighters has been a serious concern.

He said fire outbreak in this country poses a serious challenge to the economy hence a need to have skilled people who can assist when need arises.

The developed countries like Japan have advanced well in firebreak, as they have installed devices and technology to alert fire controllers on fire breaks, he said. ENDS