The Enugu State Government has started implementing robust and proactive equipment, man-power and sensitisation upscale to tackle fire outbreak and ensure “zero fire losses’’ this dry/harmattam season.
The Director of Enugu State Fire Service, Engr. Okwudiri Ohaa, told newsmen in Enugu on Thursday that the state fire service had been making proactive preparation to ensure that the state government’s “zero fire losses’’ initiative is achieved.
Ohaa said that Gov. Peter Mbah restoration of water supply to Enugu after 20 years had robbed off tremendously well on the job of the state fire service and increase its efficiency and service delivery to the residents of the state.
He said that the restoration of water, after just 180 days in office as promised by Gov. Mbah during his electioneering campaign, had resuscitated water hydrants belonging to the service especially in its fire stations.
“As we work to achieve the “zero fire losses” initiative this season; His Excellency Dr Peter Mbah has up scaled our operation by his laudable provision of water to Enugu in his first 180 days in office, thus, resuscitating our water hydrants within and in the outskirt of Enugu metropolis.
“With adequate and steady water supply from our water hydrants scattered all over the state; our work, as first responders to fire outbreak incidents, is made easy for us as well as increased our efficiency rate,” he said.
He also said that provision of the water hydrants had made government public potable water accessible to people and nighbourhoods that live around the areas where these water hydrants are located.
Ohaa, who is also the Chief Fire and Rescue Officer of the state, said that the state government also gave a recent directive for installation of fire extinguishers on all government-owned public buildings to ensure fire safety this season.
According to him, the service has undertaken the training of civil servants occupying these public buildings on how to use and maintain these fire extinguishers for ir prevention and maximum positive result.
“Also, graciously, His Excellency has given us approval and funding to procure those things we usually need during this (critical) season; and in fact our suppliers in Lagos has given me phone number of the truck that are coming to drop something for us.
“Most especially the chemicals we use. Funds for it have been released and we have made necessary payment and before tomorrow the truck will be arriving here in Enugu and dropping the items.
“Most of the chemicals like AAF (foam-making agent), which we are purchasing nothing less than 40 drums; equally paid for dry chemical powders, we equally paid for hoses, branches, fire man axes among other requirements,” he said.
The director noted that as part of pro-active preparation, 21 staff of the Enugu State Fire Service are currently undergoing in-service training in order to build their capacity and skill or maximum service delivery.
He said that the service within the past three weeks had engaged in massive media and stakeholders’ sensitisation on prevention and putting up emergency contingent plans to forestall fire outbreaks in the state.
“I have been on the air in most media houses even using local dialect to remind our people on the need to be cautious this season and do due diligence in switching off all electrical appliance at the close of work/business or while leaving home in the morning hours.
“They should also avoid putting on fire indiscriminately and totally avoid bush burning under the guise of hunting bush meat or other reasons.
“We have in the past weeks engaged the educational board offices and traders in various markets on fire prevention and need to have functional fire extinguishers and Enugu State Fire Service emergency numbers,’’ he said.
Ohaa noted that the “state fire service is planning to extend its robust sensitisation and engagement to all major markets in the state within the next two weeks before Christmas”.