To combat large-scale fire disasters, the Federal Fire Service (FFS) will deploy aircraft for effective performance, FFS’ Controller-General Abdulganiyu Jaji said yesterday.
He also said 13 metropolitan fire stations will be established.
He said the expansion of fire service was meant to reduce the risk of fire-related incidents.
He said President Muhammadu Buhari is leaving a legacy of a rejuvenated fire service.
Jaji spoke during the commissioning of a newly-established Metropolitan Fire Station in the FCT Command and a Fire Training School (Firehouse) in Sheda, Abuja.
He said the metropolitan station was the first among 13 approved by the Federal Government to be built across the federation in selected locations.
Jaji said: “The prime challenge of the Federal Fire Service is ensuring reduction in fire emergencies instead of firefighting, fire prevention instead of combating fires as well as fighting wildfires, bushfires and other large scale fires requiring aerial attacks.
“We have initiated an arrangement with the Nigeria Air Force to use their planes to water bomb fires of that nature from the air. It is my sincere hope that the Service will see this through.
“Our attention will henceforth be in the acquisition of aircraft that can carry large-scale solutions to bomb such large-scale fire in the six geo-political zones of the country.”
According to him, the location of the metropolitan fire station in Abuja was to ensure rapid response to emergencies in Kubwa and its environs.
He added: “This beautiful edifice housing the Metropolitan Fire Station is the first of its kind in the history of Nigeria. We have all gathered here today to commission one of the 13 Metropolitan Stations spread across the country and at various stages of completion.
“We can ensure reduction in fire emergencies through advocacy and campaigns.”
He said: ”Today marks an important milestone in our country’s history as we witness the commissioning of the Firehouse at Sheda, completion and commissioning of the first of the 13 approved Metropolitan fire stations across the nation.
“This is an incredible achievement and I am proud of the hard work and dedication of the team that made this possible
“The Metropolitan Fire Station here in Kubwa is a great asset to the local community and will help to reduce the risk of fire-related incidents, serve as a hub for fire services in the region, provide support and assistance to the local community and also act as a training center for fire personnel, equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to protect lives and property.”
The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola said the 13 Zonal Fire Station Headquarters, also called Metro Fire Stations, were “positioned strategically in the suburban areas for rapid fire and rescue interventions to the community in a much shorter life-saving time.”
He said the protection of the lives and property of Nigerians has been of utmost importance to t President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.
He said the outgoing administration of the President has also revamped the Federal Fire Service from a moribund institution to a first-class disaster and emergency management agency.
