The Controller-General of Federal Fire Service, Mr. Olusegun Okebiorun has hinted of plans by the federal government to establish Fire Stations in each of the geo-political zones of the country.
The CG who stated this yesterday in Abuja while speaking with newsmen expressed regret that fire service has not been given desired attention to adequately address disaster, a situation he noted gave rise to over N50 billion lost annually to fire disaster.
He blamed the trend of losing property to fire incidents across the country on inadequate infrastructure and manpower in the service, stressing that if the trend was reversed, the country could channel the resources being lost to fire into other development projects.
According to the CG, in line with the directive for the service to pay attention to its oversight functions, it has embarked on retraining of personnel for efficient service, adding that the mandate of the service is not only to fight fire but also coordinate fire disaster management efforts.
Mr. Okebiorun expressed optimism that the Fire Academy in Sheda, Abuja, when completed will train personnel to international standard and maintained that the academy will not only be a training ground for personnel but also a revenue generation avenue for the government.
The service on realisation that is better to prevent fire outbreak than managing fire, the service is partnering with a private firm to establish a fire alert system that will alert fire the service and the inhabitant of a building when fire breaks adding that the system will enhance early arrival of fire fighters, the CG said.
He averred that the service will require the partnership of members of the public to key into the technology, ‘Smoke Detector’ that will be installed in buildings and factories.
