News / National
No experienced firefighters in Harare
06 Aug 2014 at 09:28hrs | Views
Public safety by the City of Harare is no longer guaranteed after councillors last week declined to re-appoint eight retired personnel from the Emergency Service Division (ESD).
The Human Resources and General Purposes committees had considered a report by the Human Capital and Public Safety Department recommending approval of the appointment of four retired employees of the ESD, among them an Assistant Chief Fire Officer (Grade 6), two Divisional Officers (Grade 7) and one Assistant Divisional Officer (Grade seven) on fixed term contracts of six months renewable up to one year on assumption of duty.
The Human Capital and Public Safety director had reported that four of the critical positions, which had been retained in the Emergency Services Division, had been manned by officers who had since been retired. He further reported that the City of Harare had been requested by the Department of Civil Protection to provide technical advice with regards investigation of fire outbreaks, explosions preparedness at Ethanol Storage and blending facilities across the country.
During a full council meeting held last week, councillors turned down the re-appointment of the fire officers and blamed council for not having a proper 'succession system'.
This was despite pleas from acting Town Clerk Josephine Ncube who said the appointments would only be for six months.
"There is need for experienced personnel as the current crop cannot meet the demand. The appointment of the personnel will be just for six months and there is need for these people to head the different divisions," said Ncube.
However, councillors stood their ground and said council Emergency Services Division must put in place an internally driven staff development programme (coaching and mentoring) that ensures personal growth and development of staff in the fulfillment of an effective succession plan.
The Human Resources and General Purposes committees had considered a report by the Human Capital and Public Safety Department recommending approval of the appointment of four retired employees of the ESD, among them an Assistant Chief Fire Officer (Grade 6), two Divisional Officers (Grade 7) and one Assistant Divisional Officer (Grade seven) on fixed term contracts of six months renewable up to one year on assumption of duty.
The Human Capital and Public Safety director had reported that four of the critical positions, which had been retained in the Emergency Services Division, had been manned by officers who had since been retired. He further reported that the City of Harare had been requested by the Department of Civil Protection to provide technical advice with regards investigation of fire outbreaks, explosions preparedness at Ethanol Storage and blending facilities across the country.
During a full council meeting held last week, councillors turned down the re-appointment of the fire officers and blamed council for not having a proper 'succession system'.
This was despite pleas from acting Town Clerk Josephine Ncube who said the appointments would only be for six months.
"There is need for experienced personnel as the current crop cannot meet the demand. The appointment of the personnel will be just for six months and there is need for these people to head the different divisions," said Ncube.
However, councillors stood their ground and said council Emergency Services Division must put in place an internally driven staff development programme (coaching and mentoring) that ensures personal growth and development of staff in the fulfillment of an effective succession plan.
Source - Zim Mail
