By Patricia Mashiri
The Operation Florian team from United Kingdom (UK) has donated firefighting equipment to the Harare Fire Brigade in a development set to improve the capacity of the city to respond to fire emergencies.
The equipment was handed over to Harare Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni on Monday 11 September 2017 at the Harare Fire Brigade headquarters.
Manyenyeni expressed his gratification for the donation by Operation Florian and highlighted that two week ago there was a training of the Zimbabwean youth fire fighters.
“As a City that is thriving to become a world class status these donations and expertise will go a long way in assisting us achieve that vision. Emergency services protect lives, prevent the destruction of property and the environment therefore the protective clothing donated here will protect the firefighter and prevents accidents that occur almost on a daily basis,” Manyenyeni said.
He bemoaned fire incidents which result in the death of firefighters like the September 11 incident incidents which resulted in the loss of many people including the firefighters.
“Last year we had an unfortunate incident in which three of our firefighters were injured and are still receiving treatment and recovering. We hope with more training we will not have a repeat of such incidents,” Manyenyeni said.
The Mayor said the donation had come at the significant fire season which is usually very hot and dry resulting in fire outbreaks. He urged firefighters to handle the equipment they receive with care and to continue safeguarding and protecting the city from fire.
“To our emergency services department, make use of what we have received, your services are not only required just in this city. You are aware that sometimes you cross the length and breadth of this country to offer your expertise in emergency services,” said Manyenyeni.
Shepherd Ndhlovu, the Operation Florian Project Advisor said they are celebrating fire services and fire brigade works which started in 2011 by donating fire services equipments to improve the fire services in Zimbabwe and training young firefighters for free.
Operation Florian is a UK based humanitarian charity that has worked throughout the world. At present, it is working in Zimbabwe, Moldova, Macedonia, Lebanon, Cape Verde, Armenia and Uganda.