The Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA) will be more equipped to respond to emergencies after receiving a donation of equipment from the Lions Club of Seychelles (LCS).

The equipment worth R152,000 comprises chemical suits including gloves, boots and face mask, 
detectors (multi-gas, ammonia, and chlorine).

Thirteen firemen of the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA) leave Seychelles tomorrow to follow an intensive firefighting training in South Africa.

They received their travel documents from the chief fire officer Andre Morel at the agency’s New Port base on Monday.

The training, to be held at the Emergency Training Solutions (ETS) in South Africa over a period of eight days, is expected to upgrade the knowledge of the staff in firefighting, according to Mr Morel.

The trip, which includes airfare, training, accommodation, transportation and allowance, costs around R600,000.

The value of ‘Unity’ was explored during a half-day workshop for officers of the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency organised by the Seychelles National Youth Council.

The workshop was held yesterday at the headquarters of the agency located on Latanier Road, Victoria

Each month Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) launches a value in the context of its ‘Values for one, Values for all’ programme, and the value chosen for the month of June is ‘Unity’.

CFO Andre Morel longest serving employee

After spending 40 years in the Seychelles Fire & Rescue Services Agency, chief fire officer Andre Morel is the longest serving employee in the fire department.

For his loyalty and long service, Mr Morel has received a certificate, a shield and a token of appreciation from the hands of the Minister of Home Affairs Charles Bastienne.

This was during a ceremony which was held at the Espace Building yesterday afternoon in the presence of other high Seychelles Fire & Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA) officials.

Mr Morel stated that the 40 years spent in the service is due to hard work, motivation and perseverance that kept him going.

“I never expected to reach 40 years of service, but with determination and perseverance I managed to keep going. When I joined the force I was only 18 years old, and slowly I managed to climb the stairs and was promoted to other ranks. Back then we did not have any protection to protect us against fire, it was really hard, but nothing is easy in life,” he said.

‘Fire fighting a noble profession and not anybody’s job’

Yesterday, Seychelles joined the rest of the world to commemorate the International Fire Fighters’ Day.

As the Minister for Home Affairs and responsible for the Seychelles Fire and Rescue Services Agency (SFRSA), Charles Bastienne has wished to commend and salute all our local fire fighters for their devotion, commitment and sacrifices.

Due to the nature of the job, Minister Bastienne has described fire fighting as a “noble profession and not anybody’s job.”

“It’s a job which requires strong qualities, such as strength, courage, dedication and bravery,” he has said.

He has gone on to state that the government recognises the hard work and sacrifices of our men and women “who have the desire to serve, the courage to act and the will to take risks in all eventualities of life”.

“We’ve lost everything,” said Merna Camille, the sales and shop manager of KiKis Caprice boutique located at the back of the Pirates Arms building.

Dark smoke could be seen in the sky in Victoria, particularly within the vicinity of the Pirates Arms building at around 1pm on Saturday.  A fire had gutted the KiKis Caprice boutique located at the back of the Pirates Arms building.

Speaking to Seychelles NATION, Ms Camille said she left the shop at around 12.45pm and on her way home at Ma Joie she received a phone call from someone who told her get out of the shop as the Pirates Arms building was on fire.

“I went back to the Pirates Arms building and saw a big fire inside the KiKis Caprice boutique,” said Ms Camille.

She added that in the shop there were R17,900 in cash belonging to the Seychelles Land Transport Agency for the sale of parking coupons, important documents, and contents worth more than R2 million.