THE fire brigade, as expected in an organised and civilised society like towns and cities, is crucial for public safety, community well-being, and environmental protection. The primary role of the fire brigade is to extinguish fires and prevent them from spreading. Rapid response to fires saves lives, prevents extensive property damage and further minimises environmental harm.
Apart from their primary role, firefighters are trained for a variety of rescue scenarios, including saving people trapped in burning buildings, rescuing individuals involved in road traffic accidents and even assisting with water rescues during floods, among other catastrophes.
By and large, fire brigades also provide emergency medical services. Firefighters are often first responders, offering life-saving care until paramedics arrive at the scene of an accident, which can be critical in emergencies like cardiac arrest, trauma or respiratory distress.
During natural disasters, like floods which Zambia experiences sometimes, the fire brigade plays a key role in rescue efforts, damage control and community safety. They often coordinate with other emergency services to manage such large-scale incidents effectively.
It is therefore worrying and regrettable that some communities can attack firefighters during the course of their duty to rescue lives and property for whatever reason as no reason would exonerate anyone who wants to take the law into their own hands.
It is inopportune that Kitwe City Council firefighters were on Saturday attacked by unruly Mindolo Township residents, who endangered their lives and damaged the fire engine as they attempted to respond to a fire incident.
According to council public relations manager Mwaka Nakweti, some members of the public opted to throw stones at the fire engine after the fire crew arrived at the scene.
This comes in the wake of a similar incident recorded in August this year, when three firefighters were assaulted by a mob in Kitwe’s Kwacha Township for allegedly delaying to respond to a fire incident.
In the latest incident, the fire brigade team received a distress call of a fire incident around 06:40 hours involving a shop which is attached to a residential house, prompting the duty-bound firefighters to rush to the area where they were, however, met with hostility.
It should be borne in the minds of community members, among other stakeholders, that the fire brigade in essence is integral to safeguarding lives, property and the environment, acting as a first line of defence in emergencies and as an educational resource for fire prevention and safety.
We therefore, on this score, urge firefighters to work towards educating the public about their role on fire safety, prevention practices and emergency preparedness which community members should be familiar with to enhance their attitude and image of the fire brigade.
The community sensitisation programmes should include teaching fire safety in schools, conducting community workshops and offering fire safety inspections for homes and businesses.
It is worth noting and of paramount importance for community members to be aware that fire brigades contribute to the overall resilience of the community by ensuring that the public is well protected and prepared for fire and other emergencies.
The public should be aware that firefighters help communities recover from incidents and reduce the long-term impacts of emergencies.
The fire brigade should further impart knowledge to community members that the presence of a well-equipped and responsive fire brigade builds a sense of security within societies.
Being equipped with knowledge that fire brigade personnel are skilled professionals ready to respond in emergencies can enhance public trust and encourage safe practices among residents and help diminish hostility towards firefighters responding to emergencies.
Fire brigade should sensitise communities on their role
THE fire brigade, as expected in an organised and civilised society like towns and cities, is crucial for public safety, community well-being, and environmental protection. The primary role of the fire brigade is to extinguish fires and prevent them from spreading. Rapid response to fires saves lives, prevents extensive property damage and further minimises environmental harm.
Apart from their primary role, firefighters are trained for a variety of rescue scenarios, including saving people trapped in burning buildings, rescuing individuals involved in road traffic accidents and even assisting with water rescues during floods, among other catastrophes.
By and large, fire brigades also provide emergency medical services. Firefighters are often first responders, offering life-saving care until paramedics arrive at the scene of an accident, which can be critical in emergencies like cardiac arrest, trauma or respiratory distress.
During natural disasters, like floods which Zambia experiences sometimes, the fire brigade plays a key role in rescue efforts, damage control and community safety. They often coordinate with other emergency services to manage such large-scale incidents effectively.
It is therefore worrying and regrettable that some communities can attack firefighters during the course of their duty to rescue lives and property for whatever reason as no reason would exonerate anyone who wants to take the law into their own hands.
It is inopportune that Kitwe City Council firefighters were on Saturday attacked by unruly Mindolo Township residents, who endangered their lives and damaged the fire engine as they attempted to respond to a fire incident.
According to council public relations manager Mwaka Nakweti, some members of the public opted to throw stones at the fire engine after the fire crew arrived at the scene.
This comes in the wake of a similar incident recorded in August this year, when three firefighters were assaulted by a mob in Kitwe’s Kwacha Township for allegedly delaying to respond to a fire incident.
In the latest incident, the fire brigade team received a distress call of a fire incident around 06:40 hours involving a shop which is attached to a residential house, prompting the duty-bound firefighters to rush to the area where they were, however, met with hostility.
It should be borne in the minds of community members, among other stakeholders, that the fire brigade in essence is integral to safeguarding lives, property and the environment, acting as a first line of defence in emergencies and as an educational resource for fire prevention and safety.
We therefore, on this score, urge firefighters to work towards educating the public about their role on fire safety, prevention practices and emergency preparedness which community members should be familiar with to enhance their attitude and image of the fire brigade.
The community sensitisation programmes should include teaching fire safety in schools, conducting community workshops and offering fire safety inspections for homes and businesses.
It is worth noting and of paramount importance for community members to be aware that fire brigades contribute to the overall resilience of the community by ensuring that the public is well protected and prepared for fire and other emergencies.
The public should be aware that firefighters help communities recover from incidents and reduce the long-term impacts of emergencies.
The fire brigade should further impart knowledge to community members that the presence of a well-equipped and responsive fire brigade builds a sense of security within societies.
Being equipped with knowledge that fire brigade personnel are skilled professionals ready to respond in emergencies can enhance public trust and encourage safe practices among residents and help diminish hostility towards firefighters responding to emergencies.