The recent news of government’s decision to procure more than 200 ambulances to boost emergency responses for accident victims is a welcome development with regards to the welfare of the Zambian consumer. This move comes after the tragic Chibombo road traffic accident which left more than 50 people dead. Many deaths may certainly be prevented if the proximity of ambulances to accident victims is substantially reduced. We feel however that the state should look at the issue holistically and also consider procuring modern fire trucks, revitalizing fire fighter services and generally improving emergency relief mechanisms in Zambia. Interestingly, the development is not very far from issues that were raised in our last article that introduced a topic relating to poor public services in Zambia. The public sector is a term used to identify the portion of a nation’s economy that is focused on providing basic services to citizens through the framework of a governmental organization. The Public sector is an integral component of public finance and citizens (consumers) pay for most of these services indirectly through tax. The abysmal state of public services in Zambia is no secret to the consumer. This of course does not leave out fire fighting service providers.
With rapid urbanization leading to new buildings being constructed everyday aspects of fire safety should indeed be of concern to the service providers. Whilst construction is said to be one of the fastest growing industries in Zambia’s burgeoning economy, this growth does not seem to be accompanied with certain services that go along with it such as those of the firefighter. The available service seems static or almost nonexistent. In cases of fire emergencies, firefighters are often the last ones to appear on the scene and even if they do arrive on time they seem to be caught up in an unfortunate dilemma of not knowing how best to put out the fire. Last year in November,I happened to witness one unfortunate fire incident in Kitwe’s Luangwa township, which ended up in the firemen being pelted with stones by an angry mob after they arrived over 2 hours late only to witness charred remains of some property. Fortunately no lives were lost. But who should take the blame? Is it local government? When was the last time we heard of new equipment being procured for firefighters?
The complexity of modern industrialized life with a greater prominence of hazards has created an increase in the skills needed in firefighting technology and a broadening of the firefighter-rescuer’s occupational descriptions. Much as we are in need of more ambulances, the Zambian consumers also need more fire engines, well equipped fire fighters with knowledge in paramedics and any other interventions that would make the public service they offer be more meaningful. Should it take another tragedy for us to realize how important such a public service is? Obviously these gallant servicemen are ill equipped or perhaps ill trained to perform their duties effectively. Fire fighters need things like nets, ladders, fire hydrants, helicopters and a lot more things to perform their duties better. It is said that some of the fire trucks domiciled in the town and city municipalities are so old that they would be better off being exhibited in the Lusaka Museum. Some are as old as 1945 fire engines donated by the British. The vehicle’s maximum speed is 20 KM/H and the hosepipe is like an ordinary garden hosepipe! How then can such a truck be efficient in putting out a fire? If the government does not invest in modern fire-fighting equipment, training and enhanced emergency alert systems then the consumers life, property and buildings in general will continue being at risk.
The author is part of the Consumer Diaries team