“The only way to reduce the increasing fire incidents in Ogun State is for the personnel of the fire service to increase their advocacy and awareness on fire fighting,” Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele said.
Engr. Salako-Oyedele gave the charge when she hosted men of the State Fire and Safety Services in commemoration of the year 2022 International Fire Fighters Day in her office at Oke-Mosan on Thursday.
She also admonished them to evolve and adapt alongside the changing trends in the act of fire fighting as obtained all over the world.
The deputy governor noted that due to the state proximity to Lagos as well as the ongoing urbanization in the state, there has been an increase in the state population which can contribute to the risk of fire incidences.
Hence the need for them to be on top of their game, thereby complimenting government’s effort at ensuring safety of lives and properties.
“The Advocacy and awareness can also be done through the use of social media because alot of people visits one social media platform or the other, aside from the conventional way of enlightening and educating the publics on fire fighting and the hazard embedded in the job,” she said
Salako-Oyedele who appreciated the fire fighters for their good work, urged them to apply care, when handling any fire outbreak incident.
Also, she prayed for the repose of the souls of departed firefighters who died in the cause of discharging their duties, for whom the International Fire Fighting day was specially set aside.
In his words the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Dr Rotimi Akinlesi said fire fighters in the state need training both local and international in order to expose them to the new techniques in fire fighting, noting that the job was a risky one and highly hazardous.
Earlier in his remarks, the Director, Ogun State Fire and Safety Services, Engr. Fatai Adefala said the purpose of their visit was to commemorate the World Fire Fighting Day slated for May 4th, every year.
He added that it was a day set aside to appreciate the work and sacrifice of fire fighters, enlighten the populace on the hazard embedded in fire fighting and to pay respects to those who have lost their lives in the course of the job.
He commended the state government for repositioning the moribund fire service stations in the state as well as building more fire stations and converting two old tankers to a functional fire fighting tank and water tanker.
