I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc on Friday, October 17, conducted its annual fire drill and evacuation exercise at its headquarters in Kigali to enhance staff readiness and safety awareness in case of emergencies.

The exercise, which simulated a real-life fire outbreak, brought together bank employees, tenants, safety marshals, and emergency response teams to practice proper evacuation procedures and improve response coordination.

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When fire alarms rang, employees, customers, and tenants were guided to a designated assembly point near the building, using stairways as elevators were restricted during the drill.

The activity was conducted in collaboration with the Rwanda National Police and Fire Brigade, who provided practical training on effectively responding to fire incidents.

Participants were shown how to operate fire extinguishers strategically placed throughout the workplace to ensure everyone understood their use and importance.

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Bernard Mugabo Mishika, Deputy Security Manager at I&M Bank, said the annual drill aims to familiarise staff with exit routes, assembly points, and emergency response protocols to minimise panic and ensure safety during real emergencies.

"This is a simulation of a worst-case scenario. We help staff know what to do, where to go, and how to respond calmly in such situations,” said Mugabo.

He noted that panic during emergencies often causes injuries or fatalities unrelated to the fire itself.

"One can die not by fire, but by panic. That’s why we ensure everyone understands the evacuation plan and the building’s assembly area,” he added.

At the assembly point, safety marshals briefed participants on using portable extinguishers and assessing whether a fire can be safely contained before seeking external assistance.

"We have trained fire marshals who can put out small fires. But if the situation is beyond control, they must report immediately so that the police and fire brigade can intervene,” Mugabo explained.

He added that each drill includes an evaluation phase to assess staff performance and identify areas for improvement ahead of the next exercise.