By Chantelle Nuzanenhamo
FIREFIGHTERS from 22 teams taking part in the annual National Industrial Fire Control Association (NIFCA) competitions took their fire safety message to the streets of Beitbridge on Wednesday through a procession aimed at raising community awareness.
The procession, which involved firefighters, emergency response personnel, three fire trucks and ambulance services, started at the iconic Beitbridge roundabout and passed through Dulibadzimu and the rank area before ending at the competition venue.
NIFCA Chairperson Farai Matambo said the procession was part of efforts to ensure the annual competitions extended beyond the participating organisations and engaged the wider community.
“The competition is also about engaging communities, showcasing what industries are doing and reminding communities that we are part of them,” Matambo said.
He said the procession also marked the start of practical activities, with the main competitions beginning on Thursday.
“We will begin with hydrant drills, where firefighters will showcase their skills in using hydrants to fight fires,” he said.
The drills will involve all 22 teams before the competitions conclude with the main events on Friday.
The teams participating in the competition are drawn from leading industrial and private companies, mining companies, State-owned and energy enterprises, as well as municipalities and local authorities.
The event is being held under the theme “From Prevention to Response: Creating Safer Industries and Communities.”
Beitbridge Town Clerk welcomed the initiative, saying the presence of companies and firefighters from across the country would benefit the town through business, knowledge sharing and skills development.
“We welcome all these companies to Beitbridge because we believe their presence is important to the town,” the Town Clerk said.
He said the town had modern emergency response infrastructure, including a fire station built through Government support and two fire engines belonging to the municipality and Beitbridge Rural District Council respectively.
The Town Clerk said the competition would also provide an opportunity for local firefighters to learn from colleagues in other sectors.
“In particular, firefighters from the mining sector bring experience that our team does not normally get an opportunity to interact with,” he said.
He said such interaction could strengthen the town’s capacity to respond to fire emergencies.
The procession followed Tuesday’s NIFCA tour of the Beitbridge Border Post, where the association assessed fire preparedness and engaged Zimborders management on emergency response systems.
The competitions are expected to promote firefighting skills, collaboration and greater awareness of fire prevention among industries and communities.