09 May 2019

As a build up to the upcoming National Fire Conference slated for Maun, a team comprising of fire experts from the Department of Forestry and Range Resources (DFRR) in Maun and Gaborone embarked on an educational drive to sensitise pupils on fire management and fire related issues.

The DFRR has declared the May 6-10 as fire week and six Ngamiland primary schools, which are situated in wild land fire prone were visited to equip and drill pupils with information and knowledge on how to best manage fires.

The schools visited were from villages of Mababe, Semboyo, Sankoyo, Shorobe and Somelo. The first school on the line was Kgosietsile Primary School in Mababe village.

A fire superintendent from DFRR, Mr Moroka Tumaeletse advised pupils to take fire management education seriously as it can enhance their environmental studies.

He said it was important for pupils to be well equipped with information and knowledge on fire management as their area was prone to bush fires.

Imparting information to the young ones, he said  was critical as they would easily pass it on to their families and friends and ultimately all would understand the importance of managing wild land fires which are common in some areas.

Mr Tumaeletse taught the pupils about equipment used to suppress fires such as fire ball, drip torch, fire beaters and fire extinguisher among others.

He also stated that the department had adopted some technologies to reduce areas burnt and protect the environment, human life, wild and domestic animals, property and ensure safety for all.

Chief technical officer from DFRR, Mr Barulaganye Side explained that the main objective of the visit was to create awareness on fire management as they had realised that people in rural areas depended much on the natural resources.

He said every year prior to the conference, they embark on an education drive to teach pupils about fire related issues, adding that fire was dangerous but on the other hand, it could also help to renew the environment

Mr Side took the pupils through the elements of fire and what needed to be done to fight fire during an outbreak.

Pupils also learnt about the types of fires, causes and environmental impacts.

They learnt that escaped fires from the ploughing fields and pastoralists were some of the causes of wild land fires, emphasising the need to guard against such incidents in order to protect the beauty of the environment including people’s properties.

Pupils were also informed high incidences of fires in one area could result in a severe drought as both the flora and fauna would be destroyed. 

At the end of the presentation, pupils were asked questions and given some gifts.

The teachers thanked the team for imparting knowledge to the pupils, noting that they too learnt a lot which would also assist in teaching and learning. ENDS