Former Lusaka Mayor Daniel Chisenga says there is need for the Local Government Service Commission to regularly upgrade its training of fire fighters in order to handle all emergencies.

Chisenga in a statement said while the decision by government to declare all councils in Zambia as fire authorities was commendable, there was need for training for fire officers.

“The decision by the Government to declare all councils in Zambia as fire authorities is highly timely and commendable.This entails that each and every council can have the mandate to construct fire stations, procure fire equipment and introduce fire certificates in their respective councils. We say its timely because the Government had recently procured 42 fire tenders from Spain which will land in local authorities,” Chisenga said.

“The local Government service commission must therefore ensure adequate fire men and women employed in all local authorities and regularly upgrade their training to handle all emergencies.”

Chisenga noted that cities had for some time lost properties and lives as a result of fires and inadequate training among officers to handle emergencies.

“Its also gratifying to note that government has also announced plans to build a modern fire training school in Kabwe. For some time now the cities have lost properties and lives as a result of fires and this has brought so much suffering to our inhabitants and investments,” said Chisenga.

“The recent fires for instance in Lusaka where bible house was gutted, made sad reading as the lack of proper fire equipment resulted in delayed extinguishing of the fires. We further wish to advise councils to ensure fire hydrants in all sensitive areas to effectively curb the fires.”