Nazir Kamanda Bongay, Chief Fire Force Officer has heaped praises on members of the business community for sponsoring the two week training of Fire Force Officers on Search and Rescue.
He said their contribution could not have come at a better time when the force needs support to make it look viable.
40 National Fire Force Officers were on Friday 10th November 2023 certified after completing a two- week Search and Rescue Training at the Fire Force Training School at Sima town Rokel in the Western Rural District.
The two weeks training was sponsored by members of the business community including, Adnan Nassim, of Adnan Supermarket, Protec Security Services, Khalil Hidjazi of Kings Production Sierra Leone Limited, Daval of Zoodlabs, Haj Jihad Swaid of Afrigas, Tony Shallop of St. Mary’s Supermarket and Musa I. Fahme of 3AX E
The NFF also with no cost benefitted from equipment such as uniforms, booths, helmets, vehicles amongst others to aid them during their operations.
According to Jim Petere, the Medic, the equipment were a voluntary donation from the IFRA after discussions from a lot of influential people in Scotland
Conducted by the officers from the International Fire Rescue Association in Scotland, the training has now added traffic rescue mission in the operations of the NFF with modern equipment.
A simulation exercise was done in the presence of the media to further demonstrate how the force is now fully equipped to rescue individuals who may be trapped in their vehicles as a result of electrical fault or fire.
Chief Fire Force Officer Nasir Kamanda Bongay during an interview with journalists stated that the training of trainers was in fulfillment of a promise by Elizabeth Macleod whom he contacted during her service under the Irish Military Advisory and Training Team IMATT in Sierra Leone.
He said the participants were carefully selected from all fire stations across the country with the hope that they will be in a position to impart the knowledge to their colleagues for which he commended the trainers for defying all odds into making the training a success.
Nasir Kamanda Bongay applauded his officers for displaying professionalism, courage and enthusiasm during the training when he stated that it took him a longer period to absorb all what his officers did in two weeks.
David Hume, Machine Commander said the training provides a huge opportunity for the development of the NFF and for the safety of all for which he appealed to government to invest more on the force .
Elizabeth Macleod, Coordinator for the training stated that the training was a fulfillment of a promise she made in 2019 when serving as a Military officer in Sierra Leone
She stated that they have conducted 79 missions worldwide to train fire officers on emerging issues and was so impressed by the professionalism displayed by the officers whilst calling on government to increase the number of fire officers to effectively perform their duty.
Mr Sannoh, Deputy Coordinator Office of National Security said the training could not have come at a better time whilst stating that government looks forward for more of such assistance as it cannot do it all alone.
He said fire incidents are also a security issue and cannot be downplayed whilst calling on the officers to practice whatever skills they have acquired.
Certificates of appreciation and plagues were also presented to the team by the Chief Fire Officer and a special one for Scottish Chief Fire Officer.
CHANGE OF NAME
I the undersigned, Jaleel Ivy Mamie of number 10 Power Magazine Grassfield,. Kissy, Freetown in the Western Urban of Sierra Leone now lately called Mohamed T. Kamara. I wholly renounce, relinquish and abandon the use of my former name Mohamed T. Kamara and in place thereof do assume from the date hereof the names Jaleel Ivy Mamie.
I therefore wish to be called, identified, known and addressed by my new name, Jaleel Ivy Mamie.
However, all documents, deeds and instruments bearing my former names remain valid.
