The Federal Fire Service (FFS) said the country lost over N32 billions to fire disasters across Nigeria in the year 2020, even as the agency saved the nation about N1.351 trillions.
The Service also revealed that about 1453 persons who could have been consumed by fire were also rescued by its men, adding that it responded to 3, 555 calls across the country in the outgone year.
Addressing a news conference Tuesday in Abuja, FFS’s Controller General Dr. Liman Alhaji Ibrahim, said his administration has established six additional training schools, bringing the total of FFS training schools to eight.
FFS boss listed the training schools to include the ones in Maiduguri, Kankia, Ilorin, Umuahia, Ilesha and Calabar respectively.
He said: “We also ensure effective functioning of the six newly established zonal commands in Yola, Sokoto, Minna, Owerri, Asaba, and Oshogbo. We commissioned and deployed 36 state-of the-most fire fighting trucks across the six geo-political zones to compliment the state fire service operation and reduce response time to fire and other related emergencies.”
On his plans for the new year and beyond, Dr. Liman said his leadership has plan to purchase 89 firefighting trucks, which include 44 water tenders, 15 ambulances, 15 water tankers and 15 rapid intervention vehicles.
The FFS boss also revealed that he has plan to establish offices in all the senatorial district across the country, train good instructors for efficient and effective takeover of the training schools and building capacity locally and internationally.
On the constant attack on his men while on duty, Liman said the agency will partner with Police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense (NSCDC) to provide security for the firefighters.
“I must state here that the courage and resolve to push through the challenge of creating a fire safe nation is a task for all and sundry. Therefore, while the national flags are high and our patriotic spirits are summoned, there is a laud call to duty for an urgent and widespread fight against lethargy, carelessness ignorance and mediocre attitude towards fire safety and our very noble firemen.”
