GWERU City Council has obtained four new fire tenders to replace its aging fleet, with three purchased through the Government-Belarus initiative and one using internal fire levy funds.
Mayor Councillor Martin Chivhoko announced that the acquisition of the new fire tenders is part of the council’s efforts to enhance its emergency response capabilities. Additionally, plans are underway to establish two fire sub-stations in Gweru, one in Senga and another at Mkoba Poly Clinic, aiming to reduce response time and travel costs for emergency situations.
Looking ahead, Gweru city council anticipates receiving two ambulances to replace old and non-functional ones, with a total requirement of six ambulances. Efforts are underway to achieve this target by the end of 2024 or early 2025.
However, the council faces challenges with manpower due to a significant departure of trained personnel seeking employment opportunities elsewhere. To address this issue, the council has introduced a Volunteer Fire Fighting Training Programme, aiming to internally train and absorb trained fire personnel to fill vacancies. Residents are encouraged to apply for the Volunteer Fire Fighting Training Programme to support emergency response efforts.
