The City of Windhoek, in collaboration with local partners, is hosting an International Fire Safety Week event in the capital.
The event that commenced today under the theme "Smoke Alarms: Make them work for you!" is aimed at creating awareness and keeping the public informed about the importance of fire prevention.
The event is packed with a range of engaging activities, from exhibitions to hands-on demonstrations, performances, and the firefighter auction.
The City of Windhoek's CEO, Moses Matyayi, pointed out that although the city is facing significant challenges in managing its fire emergency services, it lacks resources and personnel.
With the city's population being around 486,000, the fire department is currently understaffed and underresourced, falling short of international standards, which suggest that there should be one firefighter per thousand residents.
"As we stand, we are currently doing one of the best jobs under the current circumstances. We currently do not meet international standards, but we are the most responsive department in the City of Windhoek. It's very rare that when a fire happens in Windhoek, we will not be able to respond in the shortest period of time with the little resources that we have."
The Mayor of Windhoek, Queen Kamati, highlighted the council's commitment to enhancing quality of life by improving municipal services and advancing technology in fire safety.
She emphasised the significance of the council's role in protecting residents from fire outbreaks and other emergencies.
"This year's theme, "Smoke Alarms: Make them work for you!" reminds us to focus on early detection and warning systems to better respond to fire hazards, minimise damage, and most importantly, eliminate fire outbreaks in our communities. Council is committed to enhancing the quality of life for all our people by providing efficient and effective municipal services with a vested interest in optimising our technological capabilities."
The mayor also commended the staff of the firefighting department for their discipline, dedication, and sacrifice.