Harmattan: Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa Upscale Fire Emergency Response
The Bauchi, Gombe and Jigawa governments have rehabilitated their fire services trucks to enhance response to fire disasters and other emergencies.
Emergency response officials in Bauchi, Dutse and Gombe, who spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the measure was part of comprehensive campaign against fire outbreaks during the harmattan.
Mr Ismaila Misilli, Director General, Press Affairs, Government House, Gombe, said the state government had procured modern equipment for its fire service to enhance emergency response during harmattan.
He listed the equipment to include compound fumes for oil-related fires, rescue lines, safety kits, and uniforms.
This, he said, had significantly strengthened the Service’s capacity to respond to emergencies and combat fire disasters effectively.
“Gombe State has state-of-the-art firefighting equipment and well trained workforce in the Fire Service.
“The personnel are ready to respond effectively to fire incidents, the service has already activated its rapid response mechanism as Harmattan approaches.
“This proactive approach is to ensure that the Service is on high alert and ready to respond to emergencies.
“It is to ensure that the fire fighting team remains effective and up-to-date with the latest fire fighting methods,” he said.
Also, the Bauchi State Fire Service said it has initiated community sensitisation activities to create awareness on safety and preventive tips against fire outbreaks.
The Spokesman of the service, Mr Mohammed Bature, said the campaign was being conducted in collaboration with the Fire Safety Community Development Service of the National Youth Service Corps.
He added that the campaign was in line with Service’s preparedness ahead of the Harmattan, adding that, “we are here primarily to protect the lives and property of the people”.
According to him, the fire service will extend its outreach to motor parks, schools and other public places to sensitise the people on fire preventive measures, including during the harmattan.
He said the Service has three operational fire fighting trucks while three others were being overhauled, with the Federal Fire Service providing backup during emergencies in Bauchi metropolis.
Bature added that the Service has functional fire fighting equipment in major towns in the state.
According to him, Gov. Bala Mohammed has approved the establishment of fire service sub stations in local government areas across the state.
Similarly, the Federal Fire Service in Jigawa has expressed readiness to contain any fire outbreak and other emergencies in the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Jamilu Habibu, said they were on high alert ahead of the harmattan season.
“This is because we have re-strategised our activities, especially on operational issues,” he added.
According to Habibu, the fire service personnel are up-to-date in terms of handling the sophisticated fire fighting equipment recently provided by the Federal Government.
“Our fire fighting appliances can fight fire in a single building at three different parts.
“For instance, if there is a fire from the upper floor, downstairs and another part, we can respond to it at the same time,” he said.
He said the Service had deployed two units of fire fighting facilities to Hussaini Adamu Polytechnic, Kazaure, and Dutse International Airport.
“These units are combination of FAAN, Federal and State Fire Service personnel that could help in fighting any fire outbreak in the state, especially in Dutse metropolis”.
The FSS spokesman in the state also said they were conducting community sensitisation activities to create awareness on fire safety.
However, a Civil Society Activist, Imam Adam, said there was very low public enlightenment activities to mitigate fire outbreaks at the grassroots.
Adam therefore urged emergency agencies in the state to step up campaign to curb indiscriminate bush burning resulting to fire outbreaks in rural communities.
Also, a resident of Dutse, Safiyanu Gumel, said people should be cautioned against indiscriminate burning of waste in residential areas.
He said that such activities have resulted to fire outbreaks and air pollution.
Another resident, Musa Ali, called for the engagement of the Civil Society and development organisations in the campaign against fire outbreaks in the state.