15 Oct 2026

The 2026 cohort of sub-fire officers have been urged to exercise sound judgment, make timely decisions and provide effective leadership as they take on greater responsibilities.

Acting Director of Fire Emergency Services, Mr Stanley Lekoko, said the officers’ new ranks required them to provide direction, supervise personnel, maintain discipline and ensure safe and effective operations.

He was speaking at the graduation ceremony of the 2026 cohort of sub-fire officers in Jwaneng on Friday.

A total of 37 officers from various councils across the country graduated after completing an eight-week course, alongside members of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF).

Mr Lekoko said graduation marked the beginning of greater responsibility and professional growth, requiring the officers to demonstrate leadership and accountability.

“As firefighters, you were expected to respond to instructions, perform assigned tasks and operate effectively as members of the team. Now that you are sub-officers, you will increasingly be expected to provide direction, supervise personnel, maintain discipline, make sound decisions and ensure that operations are conducted safely and effectively,” he said.

He urged the graduates to lead by example and uphold the highest standards of discipline, professionalism and mutual respect across all ranks.

Mr Lekoko said their new roles required wisdom, decisiveness and the ability to find effective solutions to challenges encountered during operations.

He further reminded the officers that, as members of a disciplined service, they were expected to maintain good conduct both on and off duty, noting that their behaviour could affect public confidence in the organisation.

“The public must be able to trust a fire officer. They must know that when you arrive at an emergency, you are there to protect life, property and the environment,” he said.

He also encouraged the graduates to pursue continuous professional development to keep pace with emerging technologies in the fire services industry.

Mr Lekoko cautioned them to remain alert to the challenges posed by new building materials and the increasingly complex fire behaviour associated with them.

Meanwhile, Jwaneng Mayor, Mr Ronica Ntsimako, said fire officers, as first responders to emergencies, had a responsibility to demonstrate discipline and make prompt decisions.

He said courage, teamwork and endurance were essential to effective service delivery, particularly when communities faced fires, road traffic accidents and other emergencies.

“When our communities face fire, road traffic accidents and other emergencies, people look to the fire and rescue service for help. At such moments, there is often no room for hesitation. Communities depend on your training, judgement, courage and ability to work together,” he said.

He commended the instructors for imparting knowledge and skills that would contribute to safer communities, while also applauding the BDF for collaborating with the fire services to strengthen emergency response and protect communities. ENDS