30 Jul 2018

Specially Elected Member of Parliament, Mr Mephato Reatile has said it is necessary for information about fire management to be disseminated in places without fire stations.

Speaking at the start of the National Inter-Fire Wellness Week in the Goodhope Sub-district recently, Mr Reatile said such information will prevent injuries, loss of lives and resources due to fire threats, adding that knowledge about fire issues can help community members to control the risks in cases of fire outbreaks, especially since the nearest fire station is in Lobatse.

He said there were cases in the sub-district where fires could not be controlled as fire engines from Lobatse arrived late at the scenes.

Mr Reatile expressed gratitude to the fire fighters for putting their lives at risk for people’s wellbeing.

He also urged the fire department to include business places in their awareness tour as they are prone to fire outbreaks.

“Businesses can have explosives, which can cause impact at great radiuses,” he said.

The Head of Operations- National Inter Fire, Mr Juniet Sechele said firefighting is a very unique profession, adding that they have a crucial role of teaching about fire not just extinguishing it.

Mr Sechele said since people cannot live without fire, they need to be sensitised about it as it can be dangerous.

He said the fire department would cover all schools and government outlets such as health posts around the Goodhope Sub-district, educating about fire for the whole week.

He said they will also conduct inspections to determine potential threats and demonstrate how to use equipment such as fire extinguishers.

Mr Sechele thanked his team of fire fighters for their bravery in such a risky profession and acknowledged the spiritual guidance needed to undertake their tasks.

He expressed concern of firemen having limitations in law enforcement, pointing out that even when they notice negligence, they do not have power to hold perpetrators accountable.

He also lamented the short falls of the Fire Act and urged Kgosi Lotlaamoreng, who is the MP for Goodhope-Mabule constituency, to table a motion of reviewing the Fire Act in Parliament.

Meanwhile, Kgosi Lotlaamoreng commended the fire department for bringing information that raises awareness to his constituency, saying that such information is helpful in dealing with fire situations which are bound to happen at any place or time.

He said it has always been his wish for fire departments to be set up in all sub-districts, adding that relying on the Lobatse fire station can be a inconvenience due to distance in cases of fires in the constituency. ENDS