DSPA Rwanda, a company specialising in Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP), security as well as fire consultancy management and protection, on July 24, organized training session focused on advanced techniques for fire prevention and suppression. With state-of-the-art equipment, the training was designed to elevate the skills and preparedness of its existing customers in effectively managing fire emergencies. According to John Gatebera, the CEO of DSPA Rwanda, the workshop is part of an ongoing process, with plans to hold more in the future, given that the company strives to be close to its clients and ensure they are at the forefront of new technological innovations in the industry. Regarding DSPA's role in contributing to fire prevention and suppression in Rwanda, Gatebera emphasized their partnership with the government to offer fire awareness training. “By making people aware of fire causes and prevention methods, they can effectively combat fire incidents. DSPA supplies reliable and affordable firefighting equipment, including extinguishers, to various markets, households, and families, thus ensuring that people have the necessary tools to respond to fire emergencies effectively,” he said. During the training session, Jean Bosco Turatsinze, an engineer at DSPA Rwanda, presented various tools and materials provided by the company and their functions. These include fire alarms, heat and smoke detectors, automatic fire extinguishers, CCTV cameras, DSPA aerosol generators, fire-resistant cables (2-hour rating), DSPA automatic fire suppression systems, fire blankets, and firefighting coats, among others. He stressed the importance of DSPA-5, a special set of tools that enable quick and easy fire response. He declared that the gadgets are highly valuable in emergencies when other systems may fail. Regarding fire prevention and response, the expert recommended that people in commercial zones should have the user-friendly manual DSPA-5 gadget, which can swiftly intervene to stop fires, thus saving properties and lives. Turatsinze also advised regular servicing and inspection of all firefighting equipment by experts from DSPA Rwanda. Joel Kirwa, the Country Director of DSPA Uganda, said that people often overlook the importance of fire services until a fire incident occurs nearby, advising the clients and the public to recognize fire services as essential components of any facility. He emphasized the necessity for each facility to have a well-maintained fire alarm system and firefighting equipment, including fire extinguishers, automatic fire suppression systems, and manual DSPA gadgets for fully developed fires. Kirwa further suggested that East African governments should work together to minimize taxes on firefighting equipment, making it more affordable for citizens to acquire such gadgets. Regarding employee training, he stressed the importance of educating workers on how to operate firefighting equipment and suggested that the government should require companies and organizations to provide certification of employee training during inspections to ensure preparedness in case of a fire. Kiran Nagaraj from IHI Carrier group, the UAE-based manufacturer emphasized DSPA's specialisation in providing fire alarms, building management, home automation, access control, and security systems. He also highlighted their flexible solutions tailored to meet clients' specific requirements, with DSPA (R) acting as a local partner for effective local market service. Kiran also noted that the company handles challenging projects with substantial requirements in the region, adding that it is also involved in training the local team and collaborating closely from design to commissioning. Gervain Sibomana, a participant from BK Group thanked DSPA Rwanda for enhancing safety and security. He said that he gained new fire prevention and suppression skills through the workshop, which he will use to train other staff at work and operate specialized equipment effectively. Charles Kabagambe, a participant from Intare Investment Ltd said that when they use DSPA equipments, they feel safe, adding that through the workshop, he learned that the company puts forward saving the properties and lives of Rwandans before money. He noted that at Intare Conference Arena, DSPA Rwanda provided fire safety solutions with a 15-year warranty. In addition to training existing clients, DSPA Rwanda also offers training packages for external organizations, providing fire awareness, first aid, first responders, and instruction on advanced systems such as fire alarms, intrusion access control, and CCTV.
