A section of police officers under the Directorate of Fire Prevention and Rescue Services on Wednesday started training to upgrade, and learn new firefighting, emergency and rescue skills under the guidance of the Japan Firefighters Association.
The training is part of the grant, Assistance of Grassroots Recycle Project, where Japan is provisioning second-hand ambulances and fire trucks in two cities and 11 districts, worth over Shs1.8billion.
Uganda Police Force welcomed the intervention as timely for Uganda to close both skills and equipment gaps in the department.
Speaking at the launch of the training in Kampala on Wednesday, Deputy Inspector of Police in charge of Human Resource Development and Training, Moses Kafeero, who represented IGP Abas Byakagaba, appreciated the government of Japan for supporting police. Their intervention, he said has greatly improved the national capacity to respond to fire incidents.
‘The equipment will fill the gaps that we had. Uganda is a growing population, now exceeding 46 million people, but when you compare the few firefighters we have and then the equipment, that is not enough, and yet we are prone to fires,’ he observed.
The eight-member team that will train the officers for six days is led by Shinsuke Sato, the Director General of the International Division at Japan Firefighters Association, and comprises fire fighters with up to 25 years of experience, fire trucks drivers/operators, trainers and mechanics.
The training targets personnel responsible for maintenance of the equipment, drivers and operators of the vehicles
Deputy Head of Mission of Japan to Uganda, Yoshida Norimasa said the Asian country boasts a seasoned and proficient fire and rescue force ably responding to numerous natural disasters the archipelago faces, and international emergencies in Asia, Europe and Africa.
Japan seeks to share these extensive skills and experience with Uganda to enhance bilateral cooperation.
‘I hope this training will also be an opportunity to glean fresh insights of fire prevention and rescue work,’ he said
Since 2019, 18 fire trucks and 37 ambulances have been donated to Uganda, with 8 expected to be arriving in the country today.
The Japanese diplomat also told the applauding officers that an extra 8 firetrucks and 9 ambulances will be delivered next year.
‘We are confident the training and provided vehicles will contribute to the Uganda Police Force’s goal to provide timely and effective fire prevention and rescue services in each district in Uganda’ Norimasa said
Challenges
Uganda still faces glaring gaps in its emergency, fire and rescue services increasing the risk of loss of lives and property in case of outbreaks. Ugandan homes, commercial buildings, workplaces and public institutions are prone to fire incidents, according to officials.
‘Most of our cooking is by firewood, then sometimes the electrical installations are not effectively done by professionals, therefore we still have a lot of vulnerability to fire,’ AIGP Kafeero said.
‘Some of our growing towns have not put the physical planning component in line with the firefighting. Some of these people, sometimes firefighters, lack fire hydrants, where to feed,’ he added.
Previous reports by the Office of Auditor General have also highlighted limited financing, limited human resource equipment and absence of fire stations in some districts as key challenges.
Senior Commissioner of Police, Engineer Franklin Kugonza, the Deputy Director at the Directorate says the situation has improved.
‘We have equipment that we use and we have trained personnel and we are distributed all over the country,’ Mr Kugonza said, adding that their response time is now not beyond 15 minutes, despite repeated concerns of delayed responses. He further explained the department works 24/7 with a call center [0800121222 or 999]and teams always on standby.
‘Whenever there is a call, not more than three times, it will be picked. And that call will be attended to. In the next ten minutes, a team will be responding and dispatched,’ he said
Eng Kugonza said the latest donation by Japan will go to districts that have not been having fire equipment like Moyo, Nebbi, Kapchorwa, and areas like Nansana.