FG Approves N10bn For FFS Infrastructure Upgrade, Says Aregbesola

The Federal Government has approved 10.4 billion naira for
infrastructure upgrade for the Federal Fire Service (FFS) to enable
the service face the challenges of fire fighting in the
country.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who disclosed
this on Tuesday in Abuja applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for
the unprecedented support accorded the Fire Service.

Speaking during the inauguration of seven Fire Fighting Trucks
and 20 Ambulances at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja, Aregbesola said
the Service would forever be grateful to the present
administration.

He said: “These equipment are part of the N10.4 billion
infrastructure upgrade approved by the Federal Executive Council on
March 3, comprising of 44 firefighting engines, 15 water tankers,
15 rapid intervention fire engines (not conventional ones) that can
go into any nook and cranny to respond to distressed calls and 20
basic life support ambulances.

“The ambulances in particular are an innovation to firefighting
and the first time in the history of this country.”

Aregbesola expressed hope that the intervention would address
the challenges associated with firefighting and save lives.

He said as part of capacity building for officers of the
service, he approved the training of 21 fire-fighting officers in
the University of Civil Defence and Emergency Studies, Minsk,
Belarus, stating that the officers are expected to be master
trainers for others on their return to Nigeria.

Aregbesola said: “Today we are here to add 20 brand new Basic
Life Support Ambulance buses and seven firefighting trucks to our
fleet to be manned by well trained, dedicated and committed
personnel.

“It is noted that 2020 into 2021 has witnessed frightening fire
incidents, ranging from markets to gas and pipelines fires around
the country.

“Statistics at our disposal show that the FFS in 2020 to the
first quarter of 2021 received 4,541 fire calls from which
regrettably, 158 lives were lost and property lost is estimated at
N41.5 billion.

“The good news is that the Service within the year under review
also saved about 1,275 lives, rescue about 387 persons in distress
due to fire and other related emergencies while saving property
worth over N3.7trillion.

“The arrival of these new ambulance buses and trucks and their
deployment to the various Zonal and state Commands would surely
enhance service delivery of the Federal Fire Service during
emergencies.”

The Federal Government has approved 10.4 billion naira for
infrastructure upgrade for the Federal Fire Service (FFS) to enable
the service face the challenges of fire fighting in the
country.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who disclosed
this on Tuesday in Abuja applauded President Muhammadu Buhari for
the unprecedented support accorded the Fire Service.

Speaking during the inauguration of seven Fire Fighting Trucks
and 20 Ambulances at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja, Aregbesola said
the Service would forever be grateful to the present
administration.

He said: “These equipment are part of the N10.4 billion
infrastructure upgrade approved by the Federal Executive Council on
March 3, comprising of 44 firefighting engines, 15 water tankers,
15 rapid intervention fire engines (not conventional ones) that can
go into any nook and cranny to respond to distressed calls and 20
basic life support ambulances.

“The ambulances in particular are an innovation to firefighting
and the first time in the history of this country.”

Aregbesola expressed hope that the intervention would address
the challenges associated with firefighting and save lives.

He said as part of capacity building for officers of the
service, he approved the training of 21 fire-fighting officers in
the University of Civil Defence and Emergency Studies, Minsk,
Belarus, stating that the officers are expected to be master
trainers for others on their return to Nigeria.

Aregbesola said: “Today we are here to add 20 brand new Basic
Life Support Ambulance buses and seven firefighting trucks to our
fleet to be manned by well trained, dedicated and committed
personnel.

“It is noted that 2020 into 2021 has witnessed frightening fire
incidents, ranging from markets to gas and pipelines fires around
the country.

“Statistics at our disposal show that the FFS in 2020 to the
first quarter of 2021 received 4,541 fire calls from which
regrettably, 158 lives were lost and property lost is estimated at
N41.5 billion.

“The good news is that the Service within the year under review
also saved about 1,275 lives, rescue about 387 persons in distress
due to fire and other related emergencies while saving property
worth over N3.7trillion.

“The arrival of these new ambulance buses and trucks and their
deployment to the various Zonal and state Commands would surely
enhance service delivery of the Federal Fire Service during
emergencies.”