A big number of buildings are built in a manner where fire and security systems operate as standalone systems, something that affects efficiency in firefighting. Such also disposes companies to incurring huge losses of properties and data, in case of a fire outbreak. This was highlighted during DSPA Rwanda’s three-day-training program on fire awareness and first aid training that was conducted with National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) staff members from 23 to 25 May. DSPA Rwanda specialises in firefighting and security. They provide a broad range of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, air-conditioning and other sophisticated building automation systems. In addition to that, the company also provides automatic fire detection and suppression systems, rapid intervention tools for fire-fighters and first responders, fire fighting equipment, CCTV, access control, intrusion and fire alarm systems. In order to ensure constant availability of fire fighting and security equipment, the company has two showrooms and warehouses in Kigali. DSPA Rwanda has also completed setting up a state of the art workshop for servicing security and fire fighting equipment and refilling fire extinguishers. Petero Kigame, a risk analyst and consultant at DSPA Rwanda, who presided over the security awareness training, stressed how important it is to know these skills because they always come in handy during fire emergencies. “It is important that companies install these fire and security systems in their buildings, but they should as well learn how to operate them. In case of fire emergencies and no one is trained to be able to use this equipment to fight the fire or reduce the risk, it puts lives in danger,” he said. Kigame stressed that training and awareness sessions are very important since the general staff need to know what threats they may encounter and how to stay safe in such circumstances. “As a company we do maintenance of this fire equipment we have installed in different companies, and refill fire extinguishers every three months, as recommended. It is very crucial to offer such training so as to fully equip our clients with the required skills and knowledge of how this equipment is specifically used,” he added. In addition to theoretical concepts for fire awareness and first aid, trainers also provided practical exercises on how to use fire extinguishers, reading evacuation plans. Bill Ndahiro, sales and marketing officer at DSPA (R) LTD said that everyone is vulnerable to accidents anywhere, which is why every staff of every company should be equipped with first aid skills. “Through these training, we expect the trainees to make interventions in case of emergencies, which can help save lives in case of any accident,” he added. In his closing remarks, Dr. Oswald Rudahigwa, the manager of security analysis at BNR and the facilitator of the training, requested participants to always make the workplace as safe as possible, and in case of accidents or any hazards, they should be able to put into practice what they were taught. John Gatebera the CEO of DSPA (R) emphasised that the company will continue to work with other stakeholders in this field of fire fighting and rescue, to provide necessary skills and equipment in order to enhance the capacity of combating different hazards, calamites as well as accidents and be able to assist victims. “As a company, our contribution to the country is to assist companies and the population at large to protect themselves from losing their lives and properties due to fire outbreaks and other calamities. Through public-private partnership, we are able to help more people by equipping them with the appropriate skills and knowledge needed for combating such hazards,” he said. DSPA Rwanda has subsidiary companies in East African partner states, and has recently established a branch in the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of an expansion plan.
