Stakeholders in Borno and Bauchi States have identified lack of manpower and infrastructure as the major bane for effective fire disaster response services in the states.
The stakeholders, while responding to a survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri and Bauchi, said that inadequate firefighters and drivers militate against effective emergency response operations whenever fire disasters occurred.
Mr Umaru Warabe, Director, Borno State Fire Service, said the Service had procured 48 fire fighting vehicles, water cannon and tanks, adding that lack of drivers was affecting its smooth operations.
“We have 48 trucks but no manpower, particularly drivers. The state goverment needs to recruit drivers to augment the few ones who are volunteers.
“In fact, the last time the Service recruited workers was in 1989 and most of them had retired.
“We also need two vehicles for evacuation of casualties,” he said.
Warabe also advocated sound programmes towards improving the welfare of fire fighters, adding that N50 was approved monthly hazard allowance for them. The Director, however, said that the service had adopted proactive measures to control fire outbreaks through establishment of substations in strategic places in Maiduguri metropolis.
He listed the substations to include Government House, 777 Housing Estate, Shehu of Borno Palace and Monday Market.
He said that the Service had also set up operational stations in Biu, Askira and Monguno, to enhance its outreach in rural communities.
Warambe disclosed that the Service recieved 268 emergency calls and saved 170 lives as well as property worth N14 billion in 2021. “However, 56 lives and property worth N4 billion were lost to fire disasters last year,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Mohammed Nature, Public Relations Officer, Bauchi State Fire Service, said that the Directorate had only three fire fighting trucks, a trend which affected its operations.
“The Service headquarters has only three functional fire fighting trucks with one water tankers,” he said.
He, however, urged the government to provide additional manpower as well as equipment to enhance fire response services in the state.
According to him, the Service is carrying out operational activities that include fire fighting, rescue operations, fire prevention and enlightenment campaigns to private and public sectors.
“In addition, the directorate is a service window of the government that delivers special vital services to the citizens, especially during disasters such as fire outbreak, flooding, rescue operations and other humanitarian services.”
For his part, Mr Adamu Neyola, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), described disaster management as collective responsibility which called for contributions by all stakeholders.
He said that it involved collaboration with different stakeholders with a mandate to respond to emergencies.
According to him, preparedness is a critical phase of disaster management to fast track immediate and effective response services to the victims.
“To ensure effective response and intervention during disaster, we collaborate with the line Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) saddled with the mandate to respond to emergencies.
“We are working together with the Fire Service, the Ministries of Health, Works and Environment, Bauchi Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) among others in case of emergencies and incidence of automobile crashes,” he said.
Neyola said that SEMA worked in collaborating with the relevant MDAs to respond to the ravaging flood disaster this rainy season across the state.
He said that during the flood disaster water contamination were envisaged and might cause outbreak of diseases.
“If there are deaths of animals, we give the responsibility of the evacuation and disposal of those animals to BASEPA.
“Again, we go together with the ministries of Environment and Works if there is a broken bridge, culvert or road to conduct palliative work to mitigate the effect of the disaster on the people.
According to him, the Agency is also conducting sensitisation activities to create awareness on early warning communication to prevent disasters and mitigate its impact on the people and environment.
