Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service Samuel Adeyemi Olumode speaking during the virtual meeting yesterday
By Victoria Onehi
The Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service Samuel Adeyemi Olumode, has urged Nigerians to avoid bush burning or use of fireworks this harmattan and Yuletide season.
The Controller-General said this during the launch of the Harmattan Fire Safety Campaign at the strategic meeting between him and Zonal Controllers accross the country held virtually yesterday.
Olumode said:”The Harmattan period Awareness campaign is a new initiative because we notice that we have very many occurrence of fire so we have to get prepared for this to avoid loss of lives and economic losses this festive period.
“So Harmattan Fire Safety campaign is against bush burning, against fireworks.We at fire service say no to fireworks.Everything now is dried up so little spark can cause fire.So,we say no to fireworks,no to bush burning and anything that causes fire.” Olumode said.
Speaking on the preparedness of the Fire Service to extinguish fire incase of any fire outbreak, Olumode said the fire fighters are fully prepared.
He said: “At the Fire Service,we are fully prepared for the Harmattan and Yuletide season. All our operational men have been deployed.There is a standing rule now,no leave, no break for all our operational officers during this period.So,we have all our men fully on ground.”
The Controller-General noted that through its zonal and state commands, the Service plays a critical role in safeguarding lives, property and critical national assets especially during high-risk periods such as the Harmattan season and the Yuletide festivities.
Olumode urged Nigerians to have fire extinguishers in their homes and also learn how to use it. Every fire starts very small.One thing Nigerians should have at home is fire extinguishers.Not only having it, but they should learn how to use it so you can attack the fire before the arrival of fire fighters.Last two weeks,we completed our Fire Safety Week and we were at market places, shopping malls on TV stations to educate Nigerians on how to use these extinguishers and what to do when there is fire outbreaks.
” I urge all Nigerians to be careful this festive period. Don’t leave your cooking unattended to. No overloading of sockets with different gadgets,no use of fire works and avoid bush burning.” The Controller General said.
The Federal Fire Service (FFS) is Nigeria’s foremost fire and rescue agency, mandated to prevent, control, and extinguish fires, as well as provide rescue and emergency response services across the federation.
