The National Civil Defence Services in Western Equatoria State has launched a fire extinguisher filling and maintenance service in Yambio, seeking to strengthen fire preparedness and reduce the risk of devastating fires in businesses, government offices and public institutions.
The new service, launched on Monday at the Civil Defence headquarters in Yambio, is expected to provide residents and institutions with easier access to fire extinguisher refilling and maintenance, following the arrival of technicians from Fire Mitigation Service Limited in Juba.
The technicians travelled to Yambio to restore and service fire extinguishers that had reportedly remained unused or out of service for an extended period.
Brigadier General Henry Malesh Louis, Director General of Civil Defence Services in Western Equatoria, welcomed the initiative and urged businesses, government departments, hotels and organisations to make fire extinguishers a basic requirement at their premises.
“Now I’m requesting business departments, government offices, and organizations to come and buy fire extinguishers from the headquarters. If they have empty ones, they should bring them to be refilled by the technicians,” Malesh said.
He warned that businesses operating without basic fire-fighting equipment could face significant losses in the event of an outbreak, particularly as many establishments depend on electricity for their daily operations.
According to the Civil Defence chief, an accessible and functional extinguisher can help contain a fire during its early stages and prevent damage to valuable equipment such as computers, mobile phones, electrical wiring and other business assets.
“If any outbreak occurs in your business places or hotels, the extinguisher will help avoid damage to phones, computers, and wires,” he said.
In a call for stronger fire preparedness, as the launch comes amid concerns over fire risks associated with electrical installations and the increasing use of electricity by businesses and households in Yambio.
Malesh urged property owners and business operators to ensure that their electrical systems are properly installed and maintained, particularly those connected to Ngali Power.
He called on qualified electrical engineers and technicians to ensure that connections meet safety requirements and warned that poor wiring can increase the risk of electrical fires.
“It’s good to have a power extinguisher in every place. Without it, your premises will not be secure while operating,” he said.
The Civil Defence Services is encouraging institutions to view fire prevention as a shared responsibility rather than waiting for emergency responders after a fire has already spread.
Sabit Emmanuel, a technician from Fire Mitigation Service Limited, said fire extinguishers should not simply be purchased and stored without regular inspection and maintenance.
He said the company recommends servicing extinguishers every six months, taking into account weather conditions and storage environments.
“We service extinguishers every six months due to weather and storage conditions. This regular recharge is necessary to keep them effective,” Emmanuel said.
He urged businesses and organisations to ensure their fire-fighting equipment remains functional and accessible at all times.
The availability of a local refilling service is expected to reduce the difficulties faced by businesses and institutions that previously had to seek specialised maintenance services outside Western Equatoria.
Fire outbreaks can have serious economic consequences for small businesses, which often operate with limited resources and may lack insurance or adequate mechanisms to recover from major losses.
The Civil Defence Services said having extinguishers available could provide an important first line of defence while professional firefighters respond to emergencies.
The service is also expected to contribute to broader public awareness of fire prevention and preparedness in Yambio and other parts of Western Equatoria State.
The Civil Defence Services said it would continue conducting fire-safety awareness activities and encouraging communities to adopt preventive measures.
For businesses, hotels, offices and public institutions, authorities say preparedness should begin before an emergency occurs.
The message from Civil Defence is clear: a fire extinguisher is not merely equipment—it can be the difference between a manageable incident and the destruction of an entire business
