A total of 10 police officers have completed four months specialized training in firefighting and prevention.
The function to pass out the officers was presided over by the Chief of Joint Staff, AIGP Jack Bakasumba, who noted that the course comes at the right time, putting the officers in a right position to handle challenges related to fire.
He urged them to be disciplined and promised to present the challenges affecting the directorate before the police management and also called upon the officers to handle the equipment at hand with care.
AIGP Joseph Mugisa, the Director Fire and Rescue Services in the Police force said the skills exhibited by the trainees during the pass out showed the training was beneficial to them.
. "As you all know fire and rescue services require a prepared mind, a prepared soul, skills to save body and determination and skills to put out a fire, knowledge to effect a rescue in an intricate situation and that’s what we trained them to do using high tech and ordinary but useful equipment to save a life by effecting a rescue," Mugisa said.
During the four months, trainees were equipped with skills in escapement rescue, managing oil spillage, tackling a very complicated fire problem like a bulk petroleum storage installation, and firefighting in an aircraft.
AIGP Mugisa reminded developers that put up hotels, shopping arcades, office building to be conscious of fire safety requirements and fire protection requirements of a building by realising that not a single building worth its name is immune to a fire outbreak.
"Fire or any emergency can strike in any building of whatever name and nature. Therefore, the aspect of fire prevention and protection is critical and I appeal to any developer to liaise with any fire station nearest to you for technical guidance, to be guided on inclusion of fire protection systems in your building,”Mugisa said.
He assured the public that the fire and rescue services directorate of the police force was put in place to respond immediately to emergencies like fire.
“There is no time when the fire service can respond without the requisite ammunition and that ammunition is water. I request town councils, municipals, to ensure that buildings that are developed are developed based on approved plans and that plan must have a very big component of fire protection and safety of the occupants. Fire hydrants should be in place and maintained," he noted.