MNDF firefighters praised for ‘world-class’ work to control fires

Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi has praised the work of MNDF firefighters and other military personnel in controlling the recent fires which affected the capital, describing it as ‘world-class’ work.

Mariya issued the praise in a gathering held at Kalhuthukkala Koshi in honor of the military personnel who worked on the fire and rescue operations for the Henveyru fire and T-Jetty fire last Tuesday.

Mariya said that she was well-versed in the work of emergency response personnel, and commended them for their commitment to their duties irrespective of whether an emergency takes place at land or at sea, or during day or night.

“I have seen close hand by working with you how you respond - as soon as a call comes in to your emergency numbers – whether it is the sinking of a boat, a wreck, a fishing boat going missing, a citizen requiring a medical evacuation –  and irrespective of whether its day or night, whether rainy, or whether sunny and hot,” said Mariya.

Acknowledging the limitation of resources available to MNDF, Mariya said that that it made the work of its emergency response personnel all the more ‘world-class’.

“Therefore, the courage you showed by making your way through these narrow streets and with your limited resources – I have to say – is world-class and deserves commendation as such,” she said.

She also praised the efforts of National Disaster Management Authority.

The military personnel who took part in the fire and rescue operations were also praised by Chief of Defense Force, Major-General Abdulla Shamaal.

The Henyeru fire which devastated the Abadhahfehi Magu neighborhood of Male’ on September 20 resulted in one casualty and left hundreds homeless. And the T-Jetty fire, which came less than two weeks later on September 30, resulted in burn injuries to seven people and burned a speedboat and five fuel bowsers beyond repair and damaged several more bowsers.