Viana - A course on urban and industrial fire diagnosis began on Monday at the National Fire School of Viana, Luanda Province, to correctly diagnose the causes of fires.
The training programme, which runs until December 5th, is being attended by 32 employees of the Civil Protection and Fire Service from the provinces of Luanda, Malanje, Benguela, Huíla, Huambo, Namibe, Lunda Sul, Bié and Zaire, divided in two phases.
It aims to train professionals who will act as multipliers in their respective departments and provinces, as well as help trainees to replicate the knowledge acquired and promote a technical and scientific understanding of fires.
The training resulting from international cooperation between the Ministry of Internal Administration of Portugal and the Angolan Ministry of the Interior will be conducted by Portuguese technicians.
At the opening, the fire chief and commissioner Manuel Matanda Lutango highlighted that the training marks a milestone in complying with the guidelines of the National Development Plan 2023/2027.
It also represents one of the first steps in the creation of the system for investigating the causes of fires, which includes the construction of regional laboratories, scheduled for the coming years, reflecting the commitment of the Civil Protection and Fire Service (SPCB) to modernize its practices, thus strengthening its performance.
The official praised the holding of the training, which he considered crucial considering that it takes place on the eve of the 7th General Assembly of the Association of Firefighters of Portuguese Speaking Countries that Angola will host on the 29th and 30th of this month, as well as within the scope of the celebrations of Angolan Firefighter's Day.
He added that in the current scenario, in which challenges and risks are multiplying, the application of correct procedures and the rapid analysis of the causes of fires are imperative, as large accidents in shopping centers, industrial buildings and houses require the urgency of working proactively, reducing risks and saving lives.
In turn, the representative of the Ministry of Internal Administration at the Embassy of Portugal in Angola, Colonel Carlos Felizardo, highlighted that continuous training is in an area as critical as civil protection, as the challenges caused by fires, whether rural or urban or industrial disable a permanent update of knowledge, techniques and tools.
He mentioned that disasters, whether natural or caused by human action, transcend borders and require an articulated and efficient response, which is why this training reflects the spirit of solidarity between Angola and Portugal.
HDC/SEC/MRA/jmc
