"Cool Kids Stop Fires" , a fire safety education campaign for schools launched by Vivo Energy Uganda.

As a measure towards reducing the incidents of fire outbreaks in schools and resulting injuries, fatalities and loss of property, Vivo Energy Uganda has launched a fire safety education campaign for schools in Uganda, titled "Cool Kids Stop Fires".

Consult Afrika Usalama Manager (Mrs. Marble Tomusange) meets Vivo Energy Uganda Managing Director (Johan Grobbelaar)

The campaign aims at imparting fire safety education to students and stakeholders of educational institutions and skill them in the prevention, detection and management of school fires among others.

The campaign will be implemented in partnership with the Uganda Police Directorate of Fire Prevention and Rescue Services, the Ministry of Education and Sports, Consult Afrika Usalama and other partners.

Mrs. Marble Tomusange (Consult Afrika Usalama Manager)

While launching the campaign at Green Hill Academy in Kampala on Monday, the Assistant Commissioner for Private Schools and Institution of Learning in the Ministry of Education and Sports, George Muteekanga who represented the Education Minister said the Circular from IGP speaks volumes.

“The issue of fire has been on our neck. We have so many questions to answer. This Report speaks volumes. At least, it is for the first half of the year, and it is talking about 40 schools that have caught fire. And out 40 [schools], 17 have be diagnosed and cause has been very clear, as being internal disagreements among the private schools. The issue of fire in schools is paramount. It does not only affect the child, but the entire stakeholder community; the teacher, the parent, the management, Boards of Governors, community, everybody,” he added.

The Corporate Communications Manager at Vivo Energy Uganda, Val Okecho said that during the campaign, school children will be trained on what to do in the event of a fire.

“We don’t want you to go and fight the fire. That is not what cool kids do. We want you to notice that the fire has occurred or is about to, and run or move majestically or calmly to the next fire assembly point. Do not fight fires. Do not go back into your school dormitory, to your class to try and save your property,” said Okecho.

He added: “we are going to look and train particular responsible students in every class and appoint them as fire marshals. We will provide these fire marshals with equipment, reflector jackets, and material that can distinguish them to support their colleagues in the event that a fire breaks out. We shall also visit schools and brand fire assembly points, exit points for buildings.”

Visits to various schools throughout the campaign will be conducted by Vivo Energy technical team to assess their fire safety preparedness, provide support that includes smoke detectors, and other fire prevention equipment.