The Federal Fire Service (FFS) has urged Nigerians to embrace the National Fire Safety Codes especially during planning, designing and construction of infrastructure so as to reduce the number of casualties and lost of properties during fire incidences in the country.
The commandant of the FFS in Kano Engineer Kazeem Sholadoye disclosed this while briefing journalist at 2nd Kano fire Summit organized by FFS, Kano state command in collaboration with Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Now Northwest University Kano and League for Societal Protection Against Drugs Abuse (LESPADA), themed “Climate change and disaster Management”: Harnessing Critical stakeholders Roles Towards Enhancing Fires Safety and Emergency Response held in Kano on Monday.
According to him, FFS has been mandated of ensuring the safety of Nigerians against fire and other emergencies in addition to monitoring state and private fire services towards the set goals.
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He said the summit is aimed at sensitizing people and raise their alertness and consciousness on the dangers of uncontrolled fires especially with the harsh weather due to climate change through exposing them to ways of identifying and managing possible risks, hazards and dangers within their homes and workplaces.
“This is for our people in the right frame of mind to further embrace Government strategies, policies and technological advancement that capable of curtailing the menace of losses in terms of lives and property in our society. To also educate people on basic techniques of handling fire especially at incipient state using simple/portable fire fighting equipments among others,” said commandant.
“This year’s fire safety week activity includes, Joint Disaster response simulation, by all the emergency response agencies in the Kano State. Campus fire Safety Day 2024 celebration which includes: Inter School fire Safety/ drug abuse quiz Competition and Inauguration of Volunteer Students Fire Marshalls initiative,” added Kazeem.
The commandant continue further “During this day we celebrate International Disaster Risk reduction day 2024 (in arrears) and Award of Fire Safety ambassadors, 5KM walk against Carelessness which is the major cause of Fire.”
The commandant urged stakeholders to continue taking measures in tackling the effects of climate in the country, Notting that “many man made decision result in the increase of heat waves and affect ozone layer.”
In a remark, the executive governor of Kano state Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf who declared the summit open, urged participants and the general public to contribute their quota in fighting against climate change.
Governor Yusuf represented by the state commissioner for security and internal affairs expressed the state government commitment in supporting fire fighters at both state and the federal government in achieving determined goals.