BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MATSAPHA – His Majesty King Mswati III has commended the Eswatini National Fire, Rescue and Emergency Service (ENFRES) for recording an approximately 13% decline in fire incidents compared to the previous year, while urging Emaswati to sustain efforts to prevent further outbreaks.
The King said the reduction was encouraging and reflected progress in the fight against fires, but warned that the country should not become complacent while incidents continued to threaten lives, property and livelihoods.
He was speaking during the third edition of the National Fire Day celebration at Matsapha International Airport, where he called for continued collaboration between fire personnel, traditional leaders, businesses and communities to strengthen fire prevention.
“It is encouraging to hear that fire incidents have declined by about 13% compared to the previous year and we commend the Fire and Rescue Service for that achievement,” His Majesty said.
He emphasised that the achievement should motivate the nation to intensify its efforts to eliminate incidents that destroy the property of Emaswati.
The King highlighted the importance of public education, particularly during the dry winter season, when veld fires can spread rapidly and cause extensive damage to homes, forests, grazing land, livestock and agricultural produce.
He called for sustained fire safety campaigns through media platforms to ensure that communities understood the dangers of uncontrolled veld fires, the importance of reporting fires early and the precautions required to prevent flames from spreading.
His Majesty also urged farmers and landowners to exercise caution when conducting controlled burning, while parents and guardians were encouraged to educate children about fire safety.
He further called on traditional leaders and businesses to continue mobilising communities and educating employees on responsible practices when dealing with open flames.
The King said fire prevention was a shared responsibility, stressing that ENFRES could not prevent all incidents without the active participation of the public.
He encouraged Emaswati to raise the alarm whenever they noticed a fire so that emergency personnel could respond promptly.
His Majesty also called for stronger preparedness through the provision of appropriate firefighting equipment and vehicles, as well as continuous professional training for fire personnel to meet the demands of modern infrastructure and increasingly complex emergencies.
He commended the service for its dedication to protecting lives and property, noting that its responsibilities extended beyond fighting fires to include road accident responses, rescue operations and assistance to communities during emergencies.
The annual National Fire Day celebration was held under the theme, “Advancing Fire Safety, Rescue, and National Service in the Spirit of Agape Love.”
The King urged the nation to translate the awareness raised by the event into practical action, saying safer communities depended on people taking responsibility for protecting one another.
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