BUJUMBURA, May 6th (ABP) – The Ministry of Interior, Community Development and Public Security released a statement on Thursday May 2 announcing International Firefighters Day which will be celebrated Friday May 3, 2024 in Bujumbura under the theme “The professional firefighter serving the public”.
That declaration was read by the permanent secretary of the said ministry, Mr. André Ndayambaje, a check on the site by ABP has revealed.
Mr. Ndayambaje recalled that Burundi is celebrating that international day for the 3rd time and joins the international community to recognize and honor the sacrifices of five Australian firefighters who lost their lives following a forest fire on January 4 1999. It is also an opportunity to remind the international community of the need to further integrate preventive measures to combat natural and anthropogenic threats in all sectors of national life.
According to the permanent secretary at the ministry in charge of the Interior, the government of Burundi recognizes the courage and dedication of firefighters in their noble mission of saving human lives in emergency situations, safeguarding property, public infrastructure and private as well as environmental protection. He is also committed to continuing to support them in their noble missions. In addition, he announced, the government of Burundi thanks all its development partners for their multifaceted support that they continue to provide to our country to deal with various emergency situations.
He recalled that the theme chosen on that occasion offers an opportunity to analyze and evaluate the technical operational capabilities of firefighters, that is to say the tools and equipment at their disposal in order to ensure that they carry out rescue operations, without forgetting the quality of their training and raising awareness among communities who must collaborate with fire services in emergency management.
It is also an opportunity to salute the courage of those who give themselves body and soul to save human lives in order to together ensure a secure environment for society, he stressed. In addition, he added, the celebration of that day is an opportunity to bring to the public’s attention the role of firefighters who focus on preventing and fighting fires, emergency rescue to people, the protection of their property and the safeguarding of the environment. It is also the time to invite the entire community to carry out actions aimed at preventing and reducing the impacts of disaster risks that jeopardize development achievements.
Note that the activities marking that day will take place on Friday, May 3 in Bujumbura, within the offices of the General Directorate of Civil Protection and Disaster Management located in Sororezo.