The Mariental Fire Station received two fire trucks and an ambulance on Monday.

The donation was made possible through a collaboration with the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, the Municipal Council of Murcia in Spain, and the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund.

In her keynote address, Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development Evelyn! Nawases-Taeyele said the timely donation is a significant contribution towards improving the capacity of the Mariental firefighting and rescue services and improving their ability to protect lives.

‘This project not only protects lives and property in Mariental and the broader Hardap Region, but also empowers our firefighters with advanced tools for technical operations,’ she said.

Dirk Cloete, manager of the Mariental Fire Station, highlighted the urgent need for these resources, saying there has been a significant number of fire incidents, particularly in informal settlements where narrow streets pose challenges to the vehicles they currently use.

‘These vehicles ca
n navigate narrow streets more effectively, which is crucial for reducing our response time and preventing devastating fires in informal settlements,’ he said.

Cloete elaborated on the capabilities of the new vehicles, which include specialised equipment for handling petroleum fires and floodlights for nighttime emergencies, saying these enhancements will not only improve response times, but also bolster the safety of both residents and firefighters themselves.

‘These appliances are ready to serve. They mark a pivotal moment in our ongoing efforts to create a safer and more secure Mariental and Hardap region,’ he stated.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency