Plateau state governor, Simon Lalong has urged citizens to stop the habit of attacking firefighters instead of assisting while they try to safe lives and property.
Speaking during the commissioning of one state-of-the-heart firefighting truck, Wednesday in Jos, the governor, said Nigerians need to imbibe the attitude of being patient with firefighters to carry out their job.
“Atleast allow them to carry out their assignment without the obstruction of fire fighters whenever they are to attend to fire outbreaks and other emergencies. This is a negative development which must be checked.
“While we understand the fact that the capacity of our fire-fighting agencies is not where it should be, the response cannot be to intimidate them instead of encouraging them.
“These are people who put their lives on the line and approach danger when others are running away from it so there is no justification to attack them.
Governor Lalong added that one way to address the continuous attack was to create awareness and to sensitize the general public.
“One way to address this issue and also create awareness on fire disasters is to intensify enlightenment campaign using the younger generation right from schools to ensure they imbibe fire awareness.
“We should teach them how to identify and prevent fire outbreaks from tender age. Parents should also ensure they educate their children at home,” he said.
He assured that Plateue state government will continue to collaborate with federal fire service by building the capacity of the State Fire Service to respond to the cases of fire disasters and providing safety for the lives and property.
He however pleaded for ambulances to be delivered to the state from the recently acquired 20 life support ambulances by the Federal fire service.
Also speaking, Controller General of the Federal Fire Service (FFS) Liman Ibrahim, said the commissioning of the truck was not only for firefighting purpose but the continuity of mitigation and aggressive sensitization of the public.
“We will educate them and enlighten them on what to do during and after the occurrence of fire outbreaks,” he said.
The CG reiterated the need for every citizen to be trained on being first hand and volunteer firefighters.
“Every fire starts very small so if people are trained as first hand firefighters, they will be able to curb fire before it escalates.
“Citizens who volunteer will be trained for free on first hand firefighting as our doors are opened for training,” he said.
He promised the state government of two additional firefighting trucks before the end of 2021.
“We have procured 106 of this trucks and the Federal Government has approved the purchase of additional 96 trucks so two from those trucks will get to two senatorial districts,” he said.
