The first ever firefighting course at the Gishari Integrated Polytechnic, Rwamagana District, was successfully concluded yesterday.

The course aimed at  bolstering efforts to  curb fire outbreaks that have claimed lives and destroyed property in the recent past.

The three-month course involved 60 police officers and 39 civilians who trained in general firefighting techniques and specialised areas of expertise, including rescue operations, fire suppression and search operations.

The pass out ceremony was presided over by the State Minister for TVET, Albert Nsengiyumva, and attended by the Minister of Internal Security, Sheikh Musa Fazil Halerimana, and Inspector General of Police Emmanuel K. Gasana, among others.

In his message, Nsengiyumva said the training will help establish a well trained force that can help fight fire outbreaks in the                                                        country.

"Training officers is necessary, but training civilians in such techniques is an added advantage,” Nsengiyunva said.

"I commend Police for training its officers in firefighting. To the graduates, make sure you practice what you have learnt and ensure that the country is safe from fire,” he added.

The principal of Gishari Integrated Polytechnic, Assistant Commissioner of Police Sam Karemera, said the country needed a committed force that understands the causes of fire outbreaks and has the skills and courage to fight the infernos.

"The graduates acquired skills in the first basic step of a firefighting operation, including searching for the origin of the fire and rescuing casualties,” he said.

Fire outbreaks have been common in the country in the recent past, with 326 fires registered across the country since 2011.

Figures indicate that fire disasters claimed 76 lives and seriously injured 125 between January and October, last year, while up to 1,725 houses and 1,183 hectares of plantations were destroyed.