Africa-Press – Botswana. In the face of raging blazes, shocking natural disasters and mind boggling emergencies, fire fighters stand as the unwavering line between safety and tragedy.
Giving a word of encouragement during Ghanzi International fire fighters Day, held in Ghanzi on Monday, Ghanzi District Council Chairperson, Mr Thabiso Kebadile, praised the fire fighters for the tenacity they displayed during life threatening circumstances. The day was celebrated under the theme: Give a fire fighter a hug.
He eulogised the Ghanzi fire fighters for the commitment they demonstrated during the February floods that besieged the district.
“That’s the ordeal time, I learnt about the great fortitude demonstrated by women and men in uniform, when we were dealing with evacuating people from the flooded houses and streets,” he said.
Mr Kebadile called for the unequivocal recognition and support for such cadres as the selfness they gave to the communities was immeasurable.
Furthermore, he implored other departments operating in the district to practice such level of professionalism and commitment in their day to day duties for progressive sake. For his part, acting Chief Emergency Service Officer, Mr Simon Podile, said the day, commemorated globally on May 04, recognised the value of firefighter’s commitment and devotion, while serving as a reminder of the risks they confront on their daily basis battling fires and responding to emergencies.
In addition, Mr Podile said the day was also meant to honor fire fighters who died in line of duty and also served to encourage those still active in the service to remain courageous and serve in silence and sacrifice.
“Firefighting is a calling, that takes lot of sacrifices, deprives one their rights while they put their lives on line to save other people’s lives” he said.
He implored them to remain resolute to the oath they took upon assuming their duties and ensure that they delivered as expected.
On other issues, Mr Podile highlighted that they had a staff complement of 19 officers, two females and 17 males.
Despite low staff members, he acknowledged that, they were able to respond to sudden emergencies through their strong established coordination with other first responders, being Botswana Police Services and Emergency Medical Services.
In his welcome remarks, Ghanzi Deputy District Council chairperson, Mr Xukuri Xukuri, called for the recognition of fire fighters, as they sacrificed their lives to serve communities.
He said the day also afforded them the opportunity to learn about their operations and any other existing gaps in line of service.
Mr Xukuri further implored fire fighters to uphold their professional obligations at all times during the devastating natural disasters and bizarre emergencies.
In her closing remarks, Ghanzi Deputy District Commissioner, Ms Segomotso Nkwane, applauded them for the selfness they gave for the betterment of the lives of communities and urged them to put God first to lead their way whenever flames rage.
She called for psychological support to fire fighters and she emphasised that their bravery was not just professional obligations but a true testament to selfness and determination.
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