Twenty officers, men, and women of the Rwanda Air Force on Friday, July 12, graduated from a firefighting course at Gabiro Air Force Base.

Throughout a three-month training programme, the students obtained a variety of skills related to firefighting, notes a Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) statement.

"These skills included quick response techniques, advanced firefighting tactics and strategies, incident command and management, specialized search and rescue operations, hazardous materials awareness and response, as well as fire investigation and cause determination,” reads part of the statement.

The graduation ceremony was presided over by the RAF School Commandant, Col Louis Kanayobye who congratulated the graduates and praised them for their dedication and commitment during the training programme.

Kanayobye underscored the importance of the course's timing in adequately preparing the fire department to effectively handle fire-related challenges, bolstering the readiness and capability of the Rwanda Air Force in addressing emergencies and ensuring the safety and security of assets, personnel and the general public.

"The skills and expertise acquired by the new firefighters will not only benefit the Rwanda Defence Force, but also contribute to the overall resilience and preparedness of the nation in the face of emergencies.”