As part of the ongoing measures to minimise tragedies that may be caused by fire, Rwanda National Police (RNP) has a commenced a two-day firefighting Training of Trainer (ToT) exercise for 50 Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) staff.

The training, held at the Central Prison in Nyarugenge District, is conducted by the RNP Fire and Rescue Brigade. Trainees, who include prisons directors, were drawn from 14 correctional facilities across the country.

While presiding over the official start of the exercise, RCS Commissioner-General George Rwigamba commended the existing partnership and transfer of skills and knowledge between institutions.

‘Good initiative’

Rwigamba commended the RNP initiative to extend the fire safety techniques to RCS staff to deal with likely disasters that can be caused by fire outbreaks in correctional facilities.

Rwigamba urged participants to fully utilise the opportunity and transfer all skills acquired to their colleagues, as well as sensitise inmates to be cautious and more alert to causes of fire outbreak and ways to extinguish it.

The theory and practical training equipped the RCS officers with knowledge and skills on proper handling and understanding of fire related incidents.

The Central Prison, in December last year, experienced a fire outbreak, and the RCS chief said such skills will help them to use the available means and resources to extinguish fire in case of a breakout.

The Commanding Officer of the Fire and Rescue Brigade in RNP, Jean Batiste Seminega, said the officers will be equipped with the necessary skills to detect, prevent and contain fire incidents.

"We will equip them with all aspects related to fire chemistry, such as methods of extinction and how to use varied gadgets to put out a fire,” said Seminega.

He said fire outbreaks have significantly reduced due to constant awareness initiatives but warned against laxity noting that "consequences are often fatal.”

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