Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has expressed gratitude to Operation Florian, a United Kingdom-based firefighting charity, which has been training local firefighters over the years.
Operation Florian is a UK fire and rescue service charity that promotes the protection of life amongst communities in need worldwide and will conduct two weeks training with local firefighters.
The mission usually holds training sessions annually in Bulawayo to capacitate local fire fighters with skill and knowledge in the firefighting department plus has donated significant firefighting equipment.
Speaking during a courtesy call with the city mayor, David Coltart and the city management held at the council chambers on Monday, BCC Chamber Secretary Sikhangele Zhou, commended the mission for its consistency and assistance.
“The mission has been coming since 2011 and over the years they have donated fire appliances and protective clothing. They initially comprised retired firefighters but of late we now have both retired ones and those that are actively serving including students. They will be carrying out a two week intense training session,” Zhou said.
“We have local trainees who will attend from Bulawayo, Hwange, Mutare, Chipinge, Karoi, Shurugwi, Chegutu, Victoria Falls, Chipinge. We have essentially covered the whole country. Several years after we started, there was a lot of interest from various parts of the country. We introduced the mission to Harare City Council and now they carry out training there too.”
Zhou said this year, the mission donated three fire engines which will be handed over towards the end of the training session.
“This year they donated three fire engines which will be delivered in the city during this week. This mission has helped us to have well skilled fire fighters although some of them are now being poached by developed countries. They have been leaving because of the economic situation but we are glad that some of them are coming back home to capacitate those who are still here, and this comes with more skill and resources,” she said.
The City Mayor commended the mission for their assistance to the city, citing that they are helping local firefighters to enhance their skills.
“We have a very dedicated team of firefighters who are very brave. Despite the low salaries they get, which is in local currency, they still dedicate themselves. Our currency is hard hit by inflation, which is currently at 1600 percent. That is why you find that most of our firefighters end up leaving the country,” Coltart said.
“We sincerely appreciate what you donate to the city. Should you have more equipment that you would want to dispose of, which would be in good condition, please send it our way. We have a vibrant innovative team that can make good use of it.”
Director of UK Operation Florian, Mark Brisco, said they were happy with the dedication and vision of Bulawayo in improving fire services not only in the city but countrywide.
“We have been coming here over the years and Bulawayo had a vision to spread the knowledge they were acquiring to other parts of the country. They introduced us to Harare and we have also trained other firefighters from across the country. We have thus far donated 45 fire vehicles and other fire fighting equipment and we hope to continue working well with you,” Brisco said.
