Time to revamp fire, rescue services

//www.daily-mail.co.zm” class=”f”>Zambia Daily Mail by Online Editor on 6/17/13

By CHARLES CHISALA
ON SEVERAL occasions fire fighters have barely escaped being clobbered by irate members of the public for either running out of water while trying to put out a fire or arriving too late at a scene.
Such is the pathetic status of the fire and rescue service in the country. This important service has been neglected for such a long time that most fire brigades at local governments across the country have been reduced to semi-white elephants.
There is no single council in the country whose fire brigade is operating at its full capacity.
Most fire tenders are museum material while the fire stations housing them are nothing but a source of shame. They look like disused stables.
This sad state of affairs has been compounded by the poor conditions of service under which the hard working fire fighters have been working for years.
The massive investments the country is receiving in infrastructure development and the increase in the number of motor vehicles being imported into the country call for serious investment in the fire and rescue service.
Besides the unprecedented increase in the residential and commercial properties our roads are choking with motor vehicles as more money keeps trickling into people’s pockets.
In his special report of June 19, 2013 in the Sunday Times, Times of Zambia staffer Jack Mwewa paints a scary picture.
In the article a source, Belsam Driving School and Transport Consultancy Ndola branch manager Jeffrey Samuhandu, referred to the National Road Accident Statistics of Zambia (NRASZ), which shows that 1,600 people die in road accidents every year.
According to NRASZ the road accidents leave 4,800 victims with permanent injuries each year.
There does not appear to be any parity between the rapid pace of development and high number of accidents on one hand and investment in the fire and rescue service on the other.
Many lives of accident victims would have been saved had fire fighters been adequately equipped and trained to provide timely and effective rescue services. Equally, many properties would have been saved from destruction.
Investors are concerned about local capacity to save their employees and property from unpredictable disasters such as fires and system failures.
Fortunately, there is a glimmer of hope for the neglected fire fighters. The Fire Services Union of Zambia (FSUZ) says it is elated at the recognition of fire and rescue services by the Patriotic Front government as an important cog in the delicate wheel of development.
FSUZ president James Daka is full of hope that things will soon change for the better because of the government’s recent pronouncements and actions.
“For a long time this service was neglected by previous governments, but immediately the PF came into power it ensured that we signed the recognition agreement with the Ministry of Local Government and Housing,” Mr Daka said.
Mr Daka said his union is happy with the outcome of the discussions it has had with Ministry of Local Government and Housing permanent secretary Chileshe Mulenga.
He is urging President Sata to allow Dr Mulenga to stay longer because he has demonstrated his capacity to sort out the mess at the ministry and the councils in general and restore the fire fighters’ battered dignity.
Last week Mr Daka’s general secretary, Lawrence Tubi, commended the government for the efforts it is making to improve the welfare of fire officers in the country.
According to Mr Tubi, there are only 800 fighters in the whole country under the local authorities. The current ratio is one fire fighter to 1,000 citizens.
“We are grateful to the PF government for recognising the fact that fire rescue services are cardinal in the protection of the massive investments that are being put up in the country,” he said.
And Dr Mulenga described the fire and rescue service as vital in any country’s development efforts, and that his ministry will soon embark on a vigorous programme aimed at resuscitating these services throughout the country.
So be of good cheer, ye neglected fire fighters for thy redemption draweth nigh!
The author is Zambia Daily Mail editorial & analysis editor.