The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced its intentions to rebrand and expand the Federal Fire Service in the coming months.
According to The PUNCH, this was disclosed by the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who stated that this comprehensive transformation will involve both an alteration of the service’s name and an expansion of its functions.
Speaking at the inauguration of 15 firefighting trucks and rapid response vehicles in Abuja on Wednesday, Tunji-Ojo, disclosed that the rebranded service would be known as the Federal Fire and Rescue Service.
The expanded role of this service will encompass rescue-related duties.
Minister Tunji-Ojo emphasized that the rebranded service will play a pivotal role in collecting information, assessing risks in various areas, and safeguarding the health and safety of workers.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of firefighting vehicles.
According to him, this transformation aims to develop a robust and implementable national framework for fire and rescue services, which will identify and assess a wide range of foreseeable risks, provide for prevention and protection measures, and respond to incidents appropriately.
Discussing the potential for job creation through this rebranding initiative, the Minister referred to employment opportunities in foreign fire services and the substantial workforce involved.
He expressed his belief that the Federal Fire and Rescue Service would also become a significant employer in Nigeria, creating employment opportunities as the nation enters a new era.
Quoting examples from international counterparts, he cited the City of New York, which employs thousands of firefighting and emergency service employees, and the United States, which has over a million career and volunteer firefighters.
He highlighted the need for Nigeria, as one of the world’s largest economies, to prioritize the fire service sector.
The Controller General of the Federal Fire and Rescue Service, Jaji Abdulganiyu, shared recent statistics showcasing the service’s responsiveness and achievements.
In the first and second quarters of the year, they received 1,096 distressed calls, saved 111 lives, and preserved 91 properties with an estimated worth of over N300 billion.
Abdulganiyu expressed optimism that these statistics would improve further with the introduction of state-of-the-art firefighting trucks and Ford Rapid Response Vehicles.
The move to rebrand and expand the service aims to enhance its effectiveness and its role in protecting lives and property in Nigeria.
