FG moves to collaborate with NAF on curbing largescale fire incidents

Joy Baba-Yesufu

As a way of combating wildfires, bushfires and other largescale fires, the federal government has initiated an arrangement with the Nigeria Airforce (NAF) to use their planes to waterbomb fires of that nature from the air.

The minister of interior, Ogebni Rauf Aregbesola made this known in Abuja at the commissioning of kubwa metropolitan fire station and a firehouse at the federal fire service training school Sheda, Abuja.

He said one of the major challenges of the Federal fire Service (FFS) is on combating wildfires, bushfires and other largescale fires requiring aerial attacks adding that the projection of the service is to have its own aircraft in the six geo-political zones of the country.

The minister further said that this current administration has so far provided 106 modern firefighting trucks to the FFS noting that the Federal Government also provided infrastructure upgrade comprising of 44 firefighting engines, 15 water tankers, 15 rapid intervention fire engines and 20 basic life support ambulances in 2021.

“There is no doubt therefore that the firemen trained at this facility will have the best training and are well prepared for fighting fires and other emergencies.

“Training and retraining of personnel is important for any organisation. In some organisations, especially in the security services, they prepare for emergencies with the best training regimes and equipment and practice regularly in simulated drills.

“This is why our firemen must be well prepared with the best training regimes and retrained with the latest innovative equipment and tactics. The training curriculum should be updated regularly to reflect the latest innovation in firefighting”, the minister also said.

Earlier in his welcome address, Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Engr Jaji Abdulganiyu saidthe Metropolitan Fire Station 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, providing 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 properties.