The Bulawayo Fire and Ambulance Department, in partnership with the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) and other organisations, has established an emergency fire response team to provide swift assistance to victims of fire incidents.
Chief Fire Officer Mhlangano Moyo announced the initiative during a 2025 Ward 20 budget consultation meeting held yesterday.
โWe have partnered with the local government under the Civil Protection Unit, headed by Mr Marovatsanga, as well as World Vision, Plan International, and Dan Church Aid,โ Moyo explained. โIn worst-case scenarios, we assist affected residents with essentials like timber, roofing materials, and clothing. This emergency team was formed to provide immediate support during times of distress.โ
Moyo also introduced a new direct hotline for fire emergencies, aimed at improving response times.
โThe City of Bulawayo now has a dedicated mobile number directly linked to our call centre. Previously, residents had challenges with the landline number (02922 71717), but now they can reach us easily via 0781 593 433,โ Moyo said. โThis is our emergency line for swift assistance.โ
Moyo further noted that the Nkulumane Fire Station has been reopened, which will significantly reduce response times in the area.
โThe Nkulumane Fire Station is now fully operational. It was closed in 2022, but weโve managed to resuscitate it. This means residents in Nkulumane, Ward 20, and Nkulumane 5 now have quicker access to fire services,โ he added.
Moyo also urged residents to contact the fire brigade first during emergencies, rather than calling relatives.
โIn past incidents, residents would call family members, sometimes even those in the UK or South Africa, before reaching out to the fire brigade. In one case, a resident called her mother in Malawi during a fire outbreak,โ Moyo said. โBy the time we arrive, significant damage has often already occurred. I urge residents to contact us immediately so we can address the fire in its early stages.โ
As part of its proposed 2025 budget, the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) plans to launch fire awareness campaigns, aiming to save lives and protect property by responding to emergencies more effectively.
The BCC also intends to build a new fire station in Cowdray Park and improve patient transport services to health institutions.
