The Controller-General, Federal Fire Service (FFS), Olusegun Okebiorun, Abuja, has urged State Controllers to embark on fitness training and fire drills for firemen to improve their competence and performance.
The controller-general gave the directive during a fitness and drill exercise organised for some fire stations in the Federal Capital Territory on Friday in Abuja.
Represented by the Assistant Controller of Fire, Ademola Jolaoso, Okebiorun said the drill was aimed at putting the firemen on the alert to promptly respond to emergencies when they occur.
He said that the exercise was also intended to measure the level of preparedness by the fire stations to adequately respond to emergencies in the territory.
The controller-general said: “We want to make sure that there is no laxity among firemen in carrying out their duties by responding promptly to distress signals.
“The exercise is to determine the best outfit among seven fire stations, as well as create a healthy rivalry among fire stations under the supervision of the FFS.??
Okebiorun, who decried inadequate fire stations nationwide, said the sector had been neglected for many years.
“In the FCT you find out that there are new districts being opened without due attention to the establishment of fire stations that will service the areas during emergencies,” he said.
He said that there were only 295 fire stations in the country with most of them poorly equipped.
The fire stations that participated in the drill were from Wuse, Garki, Nyanya, National Assembly, National Stadium, Federal Secretariat, and the State House.
