Ebonyi records 108 fire incidents

The Director of Fire Service in Ebonyi, Simon Nkpuma, on  Monday in Abakaliki said the state capital recorded 108 fire incidents between January and November, 2013.

Nkpuma told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the timely intervention of the organisation through rapid response to distress calls had averted colossal damage from the incidents.

"Between January and November, our office has received no fewer than 108 fire calls from different parts of the city and its environs.

"Through the rapid response by our officers and men, we were able to contain the incidents with less degree of damage and only four lives lost from them," Nkpuma said.

He said the service had also enhanced the capacity of its personnel through training and retraining.

The director, however, called for adequate fire-fighting equipment, saying the efforts of the service were greatly hampered by lack of modern equipment.

He also called for adequate funding to enable the organisation improve upon its service delivery.

"We have enough manpower to execute our mandate and serve the public better.

"But our greatest challenges are in the areas of inadequate fire-fighting machines and other equipment critical for our job.

"More fire stations should be created in the 13 local government areas (LGAs) of the state for efficient service delivery," Nkpuma said.

He said the unit had embarked on public enlightenment campaigns on the prevention of fire incidents.

The director called on residents to always put off electrical appliances while leaving their homes and offices.

He also appealed to landlords and tenants to keep fire extinguishers in their apartments.

"As we enter into another fire season, it is pertinent we utilise various fire outbreak prevention tips to avert fire disasters," he said.

Tweet