FFS Moves To Tackle Alarming Fire Outbreaks

Federal Fire Service (FFS) has commissioned Nigeria’s inaugural fire academy and metropolitan fire station in Abuja in an effort to combat escalating cases of fire outbreaks.

The agency’s initiative includes the deployment of 13 Metropolitan Fire Stations in strategic cities across the country, ensuring comprehensive coverage in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The newly commissioned Metropolitan Fire Station FCT Command, located in Kubwa, Abuja, was unveiled by the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, on Tuesday.

At the commissioning event, the Minister emphasized the crucial role of these 13 Zonal Fire Station Headquarters, also known as Metro Fire Stations, situated strategically in suburban areas to provide swift fire suppression and rescue operations, significantly reducing response time and saving lives.

He said, “The safety of Nigerian citizens and the protection of their assets have become paramount for President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.  Consequently, the Ministry of Interior has prioritized this matter, leading to a transformation of the Federal Fire Service from a dormant institution into a premier disaster and emergency management agency.”

“Federal government has provided 106 modern fire fighting trucks to the Federal Fire Service, upgraded 44 firefighting engines, provided 15 water tankers, 15 rapid intervention fire engines and 20 basic life support ambulances,” he added.

He also stated that the Metropolitan Fire Station is positioned strategically in the urban Kubwa District for rapid fire and rescue operations to the community in a much shorter life saving time.

Aregbesola highlighted that the service was limited to sporadic presence in Abuja and Lagos, equipped with only two operational fire engines. However, substantial progress has been made, with the FFS now established in all states of the federation, equipped with cutting-edge firefighting and disaster management infrastructure.

To reinforce these efforts, the federal government has provided the FFS with 106 modern firefighting trucks, along with 44 firefighting engines, 15 water tankers, 15 rapid intervention fire engines, and 20 basic life support ambulances. Notably, an aerial firefighting equipment specially designed for skyscrapers was commissioned in Lagos two years ago, marking a ground-breaking achievement in Nigeria.

In line with the focus on capacity building, numerous firefighting officers were sent overseas for advanced training programs, including countries such as the United Kingdom, Dubai, and Belarus. These officers have since become master trainers, imparting modern firefighting, disaster management, and emergency response techniques to their colleagues.

Additionally, local training programs have been conducted extensively at the National Fire Academy and other reputable training institutes nationwide, catering to diverse ranks and squads. These initiatives aim to enhance professionalism, maintain operational and administrative standards, and ensure optimal service delivery.

In light of the expanding scope of the FFS, administrative and operational performance has been bolstered through the establishment of 13 zonal headquarters, including the one inaugurated today. Although other headquarters are currently under construction, the progress achieved thus far is commendable and underscores the administration’s unwavering commitment to the Federal Fire Service, surpassing all previous efforts since its inception in 1901.

Earlier in the day, the Minister had also unveiled the state-of-the-art House at the Federal Fire Training School in Sheda, Abuja.

This cutting-edge facility, hailed as the “soul and heart” of the National Fire Academy, adheres to the International Organization for Standardization’s recommendations, ensuring it meets the highest standards. The customized training infrastructure is tailored to address the specific needs of fire-fighters, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to safeguard lives and property.

The controller-general of the Federal Fire Service, Engr Jaji Abdulganiyu, expressed his enthusiasm about the newly established Metropolitan Fire Station in Kubwa, emphasizing its role as a vital asset to the local community.

“The Metropolitan Fire Station in Kubwa is a great asset to the local community and would help to reduce the risk of fire-related incidents, serve as a hub for fire services in the region, providing support and assistance to the local community and also act as a training centre for fire personnel, equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to protect lives and property,” he said.