The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, through the Zambia National Fire Service Training School, successfully concluded a groundbreaking training workshop that brought together Public Relations Officers (PROs) and media practitioners from across the country.
The historic initiative, the first of its kind, aimed to bridge the operational and communication gap between emergency response services and the media. It provided a platform for mutual understanding, collaboration, and knowledge exchange between those who fight fires and those who tell the stories.
Delivering the official closing remarks, Ms. Liseli Kanyanga, Principal Public Relations Officer at the Ministry, commended the Fire Service Training School for its bold leadership in championing such a timely and strategic engagement. She described the course as a foundation for long-term partnerships that will strengthen the visibility, reputation, and understanding of Zambiaโs Fire and Rescue Services.
โOur firefighters are not just responders to emergencies; they are the unseen line between life and death in moments of crisis whether itโs a raging fire, a flooded township, or a car crash,โ Ms. Kanyanga said. โYet, many Zambians are unaware of the breadth and depth of their sacrifices. Thatโs where we come in as PROs, as journalists. It is our duty to bring those stories to light, to inform, to humanize, and to inspire public trust in the systems that protect them.โ
She also acknowledged the growing demands placed on PROs within local authorities, who must balance the urgent needs of public infrastructure, sanitation, land management, and emergency communication amongst many othwr services offered by the Local Authorities. โYour role is the heartbeat of public confidence. You are the bridge between government and the people. Your work matters. It is seen, and it is valued,โ she affirmed.
Ms. Kanyanga further urged the media to remain committed to spotlighting critical public service work, including that of the Fire and Rescue Services, and to help shape a more informed and safety-conscious citizenry.
As participants return to their respective stations, the Ministry is confident that this engagement will usher in more deliberate, strategic, and impactful communication around emergency preparedness, disaster risk reduction, and citizen engagement.
Congratulations to all participants and to the Zambia National Fire Service Training School for setting a bold and important precedent.
