West Nile regional Police Fire and Rescue Brigade has received a firefighting truck from police headquarters to aid emergency responses against fire outbreaks in the region.
The customized firefighting equipment that is worth 1.3 Billion Shillings is fitted with sirens, communication equipment, and mobile computer technology will serve the districts of Packwach, Yumbe and Moyo.
The Croatia-German made Ziegler equipment was on Tuesday handed to the regional fire and rescue team in Arua after practical drills of the ten fire personnel.
Mirko Micuda, the Ziegler Computerized Fire Equipment Expert said the equipment should be able to help the Police in effective firefighting. Mirko asked the police to handle the equipment with care to avoid breaking down soon.
Ismail Sembuya an Engineer with the Police Mechanical Workshop said the Police team of technicians will ensure regular maintenance and repair of the new firefighting equipment.
Michael Munguacel the regional Fire prevention and Rescue officer West Nile said the new equipment brings a sigh of relief to the fire brigade to respond to fire outbreaks that normally raze people’s properties.
According to Munguacel, the new equipment will enable them to respond to fire outbreaks in far places like Pakwach, Yumbe, Moyo which were not easy to reach in the event of a fire outbreak.
Records from the West Nile region fire department indicates that the Police receives up to 20 fire incidents each month.
The police fire brigade in the region has been slow in responding to emergencies and averting fire outbreaks especially in urban areas.
The only available firefighting trucks that were deployed to respond to fire outbreaks are normally grounded affecting the response.
