Taraba Govt Recruits 320 Firefighters For Training In Lagos

Taraba State government, in collaboration with the Federal Fire Service (FFS), has commenced the recruitment of firefighters to strengthen emergency response and curb the rising incidence of fire outbreaks across the state.

Addressing newsmen during the screening in Jalingo, the permanent secretary, Special Duties in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Haruna Abubakar, said the recruitment followed the implementation of recommendations of the committee established by Governor Agbu Kefas to investigate the recurring fire disasters in the state.

Abubakar said the committee recommended the procurement of modern firefighting equipment and the recruitment of trained personnel to operate the facilities.

He said the state government had procured firefighting trucks and equipment for all the 16 local government areas, the state capital and the airport.

According to Abubakar, about 320 applicants are participating in the screening, from which the successful candidates would be shortlisted for intensive training at the Federal Fire Service Academy in Lagos.

He explained that, the ongoing exercise represents the first phase of the recruitment, adding that more personnel will be engaged in subsequent phases as the government continues to expand the state’s firefighting capacity.

“Successful candidates will undergo documentation, medical examinations, and physical fitness assessments conducted by medical personnel, military officers, fire service officials, and other relevant agencies before proceeding to the training programme.”

Abubakar noted that, the state government is working closely with the Federal Fire Service to ensure a transparent recruitment process and effective training for the new firefighters.

Also speaking, the project manager of Nigerbird Engineering Consultants, the firm overseeing the recruitment process, Victor Fidi, said the state government engaged the company to recruit qualified personnel, upgrade existing fire service infrastructure, and establish additional fire stations where necessary.

Fidi stated that, successful applicants will undergo four to five weeks intensive training in firefighting, rescue operations, and emergency response at the Federal Fire Service Academy in Lagos, beginning in the first week of August.

Upon completion of the training, the recruits will be deployed to fire stations across the 16 local government areas of the state to enhance emergency response and fire safety services.