Abuja: The Federal Fire Service (FFS) FCT Command has appealed to residents to provide accurate information on fire incidents for prompt response to emergencies. The FFS Public Relations Officer (PRO), Barnabas Anyam, made the appeal while training staff members of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the spokesman urged FCT residents to promptly call the FFS emergency number: 08032003557 or 112 toll free numbers during fire and other emergencies. He emphasized the importance of providing a caller’s name, detailed description of the fire location, landmarks, and bus stops. Anyam highlighted that delays in reaching fire scenes are often due to late phone calls, inaccessible roads, traffic, and road blockages by mobs.
“What we are trying to do is to sensitize citizens as information is key and so people need to learn that when they hear sirens, they should give right of way to emergency services,” Anyam stated. He noted that misuse of sirens and road users’ reluctance to yield to emergency vehicles contribute to response delays. Anyam stressed the importance of reporting fires immediately, regardless of their size, as small fires can quickly escalate.
He also advised builders to contact appropriate authorities, including fire services, when constructing new buildings. “There is a task force that goes round to conduct a fire risk assessment and if we warn you and you don’t comply, we will enforce,” he warned. Anyam clarified that Fire Service operations extend beyond fire containment to include rescue operations for flooding, building collapses, and drowning incidents.
During a practical demonstration of fire extinguisher usage, Patrick Sariki, Head of the FFS FCT Command’s Inspection, Investigation, and Enforcement (IIE) Unit, explained the elements necessary for fire occurrence: heat, oxygen, and fuel. Sariki shared strategies for extinguishing different types of fires, such as removing oxygen or heat in specific scenarios, and advised on safe cooking practices to prevent kitchen fires.
Sariki also provided guidance on how to escape a building fire by crawling to access more oxygen beneath the smoke. He categorized fires into classes A, B, C, D, and K, each requiring specific extinguishing methods. For instance, class A fires involving free materials like paper can be extinguished with water, while class B fires involving flammable liquids require dry chemical powder and foam compound.
Malam Ali M. Ali, NAN Managing Director, praised the Federal Fire Service for their professionalism. He emphasized the importance of public enlightenment concerning fire safety in Nigeria, urging calmness during fire outbreaks and recommending the presence of fire extinguishers in cars and homes. Ali expressed gratitude to FFS Controller-General Samuel Olumode, FFS FCT Controller Muhammad Anas, and the trainers for the comprehensive fire safety program.