Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA) has concluded a two-week training aimed at equipping its staff and other stakeholders with firefighting skills.

The just concluded training benefitted 227 people, who acquired skills in handling a fire outbreak, use of fire extinguishers and how to rescue people during
an inferno.

The training was also attended by employees of other companies that operate from Kigali International Airport including Akagera Aviation, RwandaAir and Good
Freight, among many others.

The head of the fire department at the Airport, Ezechias Rugaza, stated that the objective of the program is to equip staff with skills on using
extinguishers.

"We want people who work in the airport premises to have the ability to use fire extinguishers. This puts us on the safer side just in case fire ever breaks
out,” said Rugaza.

He noted that despite the existence of a fire fighting station at the airport, it is imperative for employees to know how to use the extinguishers.

He stated that RCAA aims at ensuring the safety and security for staff and clients.

Rugaza added that the airport premises have never had any serious fire outbreak apart from minor cases like short circuits, but even then, there was still
need to equip people with skills to handle common crises like fire outbreaks.

He said that the training program would be carried out in various departments on a monthly basis.

The Public Relations Officer of RCAA, Tony Barigye, a beneficiary of the two-week program highlighted that it was vital for staff to know how to use such
equipment.

"The airport is a very sensitive and busy place that gathers so many people. If a fire breaks out, then the daily running of many important activities can
come to a standstill,” Barigye noted.

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