NASARAWA state Fire Service says it has recorded 17 fire incidents out of 21 distress calls in the second quarter of 2018.Alhaji Dogara Dalhatu, Nasarawa State Chief Fire Officer gave the breakdown in an interview with newsmen in Lafia on Thursday.
He said out of the 21 distressed calls with 17 as actual fire calls, 4 are rescue calls with no single false call.
“During the period, we never received false, humanitarian or special service call but out of the emergencies during the period, three lives were lost while two lives were saved,” He said.
According to him, properties lost as a result of the infernos were estimated to be about N9.9 million, while the estimated value of properties saved stood at N128 million.
Dalhatu who admitted that fire incidents in the second quarter of the year are lower than the first quarter added that to further reduce the rate of fire incidents in the state, there is a need for every local and development areas to have fire stations and firefighting equipment.
“Equipment are very important when it comes to firefighting. It is expected that every local and development area should have a fire station but with us in Nasarawa, not every local and development area has a fire station and equipment.
“For instance, if there is an emergency in Nasarawa-Eggon local government, you either rely on Akwanga or Lafia fire stations to nip in the bud the fire emergency in Nasarawa-Eggon and look at the distance.
“Before you get to Nasarawa-Eggon from both sides, damage has been done. I therefore appeal to the state government to look into constructing more fire stations,” he said.
He added that if victims of fire incidents across the state had reported in time, more lives and property would be saved as firefighters would reach the venue of the fire incident early enough to quench it before it does much damage.
“Apart from that, people should have the pre-knowledge of fire prevention and firefighting techniques. That will be through workshops and public enlightenment by the fire authorities. Also, people should adhere to fire safety rules and regulations,’’ Dalhatu said.
He appealed to the state government to provide more manpower to handle existing stations and to engage its firefighters in modern training and re-training in order to manage modern fire-fighting equipment.
“The fireman needs special training and constant retraining to adjust to modern trends in fire-fighting. Modern equipment are coming in; thereby making it imperative for firemen to be trained on how to use them, ‘’ Dalhatu said.
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