Civil Security: Senegal celebrates the first class of domestically trained firefighter officers

Senegal has taken a major step in modernizing its civil security with the graduation of the first class of the Initial Training for Firefighter Officers (FIO-SP) 2025-2026. The ceremony, combined with the presentation of diplomas to the trainees of the first prevention certificate, was presided over by the Minister of the Interior and Public Security, Mouhamadou Makhtar Cissé, who hailed it as "a first in the history of Senegal's firefighters".

According to the minister, this initiative reflects the priority given by President Bassirou Diomaye Faye to strengthening human capital and modernizing national civil security capacities.

Eleven new officers and fifteen prevention specialists

This first edition of the FIO-SP allows the National Fire Brigade (BNSP) to have 11 new officers capable of fulfilling the functions of fire and rescue center chief or deputy unit commander.

In parallel, 15 officers and non-commissioned officers obtained the first prevention certificate. They are now qualified to lead risk prevention and forecasting activities in the regions, departments, districts and municipalities of Senegal.

According to the minister, these new skills strengthen the BNSP's ability to provide quality operational command across the entire national territory.

Training that meets international standards

Mouhamadou Makhtar Cissé stressed that the National Firefighters School (ENSP) is now establishing itself as a reference institution, thanks in particular to the cooperation between Senegal and France in the field of civil security.

As part of the "Civil Security Senegal 2028" partnership, the minister emphasizes that the French authorities have supported the implementation of the initial training of the firefighter officer as well as the prevention certificate.

According to him, the courses taught at ENSP are identical to those of the French National Fire Service Officers School.

The minister reiterated that this skills development is essential in the face of the challenges linked to rapid urbanization, population growth, climate change and the emergence of new health risks.

A civil security tool focused on anticipation

According to the minister, these training courses will help develop a new approach to civil security based on prevention, forecasting and anticipation of risks.

The new officers will need to be able to conduct complex interventions, anticipate the most critical scenarios, ensure the rescue of victims and guarantee the safety of the teams involved.

Holders of the prevention certificate will, for their part, have the mission of strengthening fire prevention systems in residential buildings, establishments open to the public (ERP), high-rise buildings and facilities classified for environmental protection.

A school destined to have a significant impact in the sub-region

The commander of the National Firefighters School, Ansoumana Sagna, recalled that the FIO-SP, created in 2025, responds to a strategic need: to train locally officers capable of occupying command positions, whereas Senegal had previously depended on training provided abroad, notably in France, Morocco, Tunisia and Burkina Faso.

He indicated that this first class is composed of 11 officers, including two women, all from the National School for Active Duty Officers (ENOA). It includes eight lieutenants recruited through direct competitive examination and three second lieutenants holding the diploma of aptitude for the rank of officer (DAGO).

Beginning on September 17, 2025, the training combined theoretical and practical instruction covering first aid, operational command, intervention management, shipboard operations, risk prevention, as well as the functions of crew leader and watch leader.

According to Commander Sagna, the results obtained demonstrate that the new graduates are fully capable of exercising their future responsibilities within the various units of the BNSP.

BNSP's ambitions strengthened

The Minister of the Interior finally presented the main guidelines of the BNSP 2025-2029 development plan. This includes the reorganization of command structures, the strengthening of human resources, equipment and logistical means, as well as the acceleration of the national program for the construction of interconnected barracks.

In this context, the National Firefighters School plans to create an operational command simulator for training officers and crisis management personnel, as well as opening its training courses to trainees from friendly and partner countries.

The minister also announced the inauguration, during the second half of 2026, of the new fire stations in Dahra Djolof, Diamniadio, Sokone and Diass intended to strengthen the territorial network of emergency services and improve the care of the population.