The government of Rwanda has begun assessing gaps in its firefighting and emergency response system under a project supported by Poland through the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO). Findings of the assessment are expected to guide future investments in equipment, infrastructure and personnel. The project called “Strengthening Rwanda’s Firefighting and Emergency Response to Industrial Emergencies and Climate Change-Related Disasters” is currently in its first phase, which involves a feasibility study and a comprehensive risk and readiness assessment. ALSO READ: Rwanda National Police gets new firefighting truck Speaking at the launch of the project in Kigali on Thursday, August 20, Benjamin Sesonga, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Interior, said Rwanda’s economic growth, urbanisation and expansion of industrial and commercial activities had brought new and increasingly complex risks. “We must therefore continuously assess whether our existing systems, capacities, equipment, infrastructure, regulations, human resources and coordination mechanisms are adequate to address these risks,” Sesonga said. He noted that the scale of destruction caused by fires could not be measured only in monetary terms. “No monetary value can be put on irreplaceable things which fire destroys,” he said, citing the loss of human lives, homes, businesses, food, medicines and jobs. The assessment is expected to establish the country's capacity, identify major gaps and recommend practical interventions. According to the project’s inception report, the 12-week assignment will assess fire stations, firefighting vehicles and rescue equipment, infrastructure, staffing, skills, emergency deployment procedures and coordination mechanisms. It will also examine the geographical distribution of fire stations and identify areas where emergency response coverage may be inadequate. ALSO READ: Fire protection: We need a paradigm shift The assessment will cover Kigali and selected districts representing the country’s major urban, industrial and climate-related risk environments. These include Musanze, Nyagatare, Rwamagana, Muhanga, Huye, Rusizi, Rubavu, Kayonza and Gatsibo. The need for the assessment comes amid several challenges facing emergency responders. CIP Benson Ndemezo, an officer in the Rwanda National Police’s Fire and Rescue Department, said firefighters continue to face inadequate equipment and difficulties reaching some fire incidents because of terrain, settlement patterns and road conditions. Some areas have narrow, rough or inaccessible roads that make it difficult for fire trucks to reach incidents quickly, he said. Ndemezo also highlighted the uneven distribution of firefighting equipment across the country, with some regions serving several towns and cities with a limited number of fire trucks. He cited a range of factors contributing to fires, including open burning, uncontrolled smoking, illegal electricity connections and improper storage of hazardous and flammable materials. The improper storage of materials such as gas, thinner and paint in the same area can create conditions for fires and explosions, he said. Battery-powered motorcycles are another emerging risk, with Ndemezo saying cases of overheating have resulted in fires. ALSO READ: Firefighters respond to wildfire on Mount Muhabura The consultants will assess whether existing firefighting and emergency response resources are adequate for current and emerging risks, including the condition, distribution and suitability of vehicles, specialised equipment, communications systems and fire station infrastructure. The assessment will also examine Rwanda’s readiness to adopt modern firefighting vehicles, specialised rescue equipment, communication and command systems, as well as technologies for industrial emergencies, incidents involving hazardous materials and climate-related disasters. The project will further assess the feasibility of establishing and integrating volunteer fire departments into Rwanda’s emergency response system. The assessment will look at existing youth volunteer structures, potential volunteers in industrial parks and facilities, and community-based initiatives that could contribute to fire prevention, preparedness and first response. Jonas Munyurangabo, UNIDO’s Country Director in Rwanda, said the project reflected the country's approach of addressing challenges before they become more severe. “Rwanda is a forward-looking country. It does not wait for problems to emerge before looking for ways to address them,” he said. He said UNIDO’s role was to facilitate cooperation while bringing practical knowledge and expertise to address existing challenges. Michal Fedek, the export director at Polish firefighting vehicle manufacturer WISS, said his company was participating in the project as a consultant. He said the team was reviewing Rwanda’s existing regulations, systems and capabilities and comparing them with its experience from similar projects in other countries. Fedek cited a project in Myanmar, which he said was implemented over five years and eventually involved the delivery of more than 75 firefighting vehicles and the training of more than 200 trainers. For Rwanda, however, he said the current work remains at the assessment stage. The consultants are expected to submit draft feasibility and risk and readiness assessment reports in Week 10, followed by final reports in Week 12. Sesonga said the findings would be important in determining the next steps, including the extent of Poland’s financial support. “It is therefore on the basis of their findings and recommendations that the Government of Poland will determine the extent of financial support towards the project,” he said. The project will also produce a prioritised roadmap for future investments in infrastructure, equipment and training. The project concept was initiated in 2023. A Rwandan delegation visited Poland in the same year to learn from its firefighting and emergency response system, including its volunteer firefighting model. Project documents, including a Memorandum of Understanding, were signed in November 2025 between UNIDO and Rwanda, paving the way for implementation of the project’s first phase.
