Enugu State Fire Service, on Monday, appealed to lawmakers and political office holders the state to view provision of fire-fighting vehicles and other equipment as part of their constituency projects.
The state’s Chief Fire and Rescue Officer, Engr. Okwudiri Ohaa, made the call during a press briefing to mark the 2022 International Fire-fighters Day in Enugu.
Recall that International Fire-fighters Day, which is celebrated worldwide on every May 4, is meant to honour fire fighters and outstanding personalities that had contributed to fire prevention and other humanitarian rescues.
Ohaa disclosed that it was high time the lawmakers both at the Federal and state levels provide fire stations and its requirements as part of their constituency projects to better protect their people against avoidable losses.
According to him, Federal and state governments cannot carry the issue of citizens’ safety alone. The contribution of lawmakers and political office holders in communities or council areas on provision of fire stations can avail much in any area.
“We are calling on estate developers to incorporate the provision of functional fire stations to social amenities in estates; while the fire service will assist in managing the facilities for benefit of the people living in such estate and its neighbouring communities.
“The service also appeals to corporate organizations and philanthropists to invest in building fire stations. We also want council authorities to build fire stations and invest in buying some fire engines as this will greatly assist the people and safeguard their belongings and other valuables.
“We are gradually moving from fire intervention to an era of massive awareness and consciousness on fire and other incidents safety. It will be ideal that our people get prepared and having the necessary equipment and know-how to tackle fire or rescue incidents at there formative stages,” he said.
On the forthcoming celebration, Ohaa said that the state Fire Service would be honouring Gov. Ugwuanyi for revamping the service and ensuring that its capacity and capability were expanded to meet 21st century challenges.
He noted that the governor had uplifted the fire service in terms of human capital and provision of modern fire-fighting equipments and vehicles.
“The governor has employed high level manpower and engineers for the service. 31 graduates have been employed as well as employment of five engineers including the present Chief Fire Officer.
“The establishment of five new ultra-modern fire stations across the three senatorial zones of the state after 56 years of utter neglect and release of funds for training and re-training of the Service’s fire-fighters. The sponsoring of the state Chief Fire Officer to the Fire Service College Motern in Mash, London, United Kingdom for further training and studies on fire-fighting and rescue operations.
“The approval for advancement/conversion of 27 firemen from the fireman cadre to officers and superintendent cadres after the affected personnel were stagnant in the fireman cadre since 2011/2014 when they were due for advancements and conversion.
“Gov. Ugwuanyi is the first governor in Nigeria to install various types and sizes of fire extinguishers in all the major markets in the state and other fire-prone locations. For the first time in the history of Enugu State Fire Service, His Excellency, Gov. Ugwuanyi provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the safety of all the fire-fighters in the state among others,” he added.
Ends.
