Of the three Delta Fire Service Stations located in Warri, Effurun, Udu and Ogbe-Ijoh, headquarters of Warri South, Uvwie, Udu and Warri South-West local government areas, only that of Warri metropolis located in Ogboru is actively in operation.
Beside having just one functioning fire truck in the Warri station, Nigerian Tribune gathered that all the fire trucks in Effurun, Udu and Ogbe-Ijoh are non-functional.
It was learnt that the only fire truck in Warri Fire Service Station at Ogboru serves the entire towns and communities in the four local government areas and beyond.
This is in spite of the fact that fire outbreaks occur all year round across the four local government areas.
It was also gathered that there is drought in manpower and equipment to battling fire disasters in the areas.
Nigerian Tribune’s checks at the fire station in Warri revealed that only a truck was seen being replenished with water after a hectic time between January 28 and January 31 in which no fewer than 10 fire emergencies were recorded and attended to.
Although the Head of Operation, Delta State Fire Service, Warri Station, Mr Kingsley Ogwu, would not let out the exact state of things, Nigerian Tribune further observed that most vital equipment to extinguish fires were not available.
The kits worn by the personnel see preparing for an emergency were not of utmost standard. The boots are such that nails could easily penetrate, to name a few.
It was further gathered that the station needs more hoses and other vital tools and equipment amid claims that the government has been supportive within its financial capacity.
Speaking to Mr. Ogwu on Monday, he confirmed that the Warri Fire Station covers Warri and the other three local government areas because of dearth in fire trucks.
“We cover Warri axis. We record fire incidences all year round. No time of the year, even during the rainy season, fire outbreak usually occurs in Warri area.
“Between last Friday and Monday, we have got over 10 fire outbreak emergency calls. On January 31 alone, we had up to six emergency calls which we attended to one after the other.
“Warri Fire Station alone covers three local government areas and environs. Fire outbreaks occur in Warri regularly,” he noted.
On the attitude of the public towards the station’s personnel, the fire fighter said they were accustomed to hostilities over what they do not orchestrate.
According to him, “public attitude towards us is not new, we’re accustomed to it. The streets are always narrow to navigate when there is an emergency because of gridlock.
“Even when our people hear the sound of siren, they wouldn’t want to give way. And you wouldn’t say because you want to go and save some people, you have to crush others on the road. This usually causes delay in arriving at sites of fire incidents.
“And by the time we arrive, the same people, who did not give way to our truck, pounce on us for arriving late.”
Ogwu said that in spite of the challenges, fire personnel in the Warri Fire Station are “fire-ready 24 hours. Our men are always here whether there is weekend, public holiday or not.”
He pleaded with the government, private individuals and corporate bodies to extend similar assistance they usually extend to the police and other sister security agencies to fire service providers.
“We’ve been doing our best. Government is trying but we beg them to do more. We don’t have all the equipment. We beg them to do more. We need more hoses and other equipment. Government can do better.
“Only one truck is functional. We also need more hands. Government should give us more hands, especially in Warri because of huge commercial activities. They should also give us utility cars,” Ogwu pleaded.
When asked to speak on insurance for his men, Ogwu expressed reservation on the existence of any life insurance policy based on antecedents.
“It is normal to get injured while fighting fire. Even with safety boots, nails often penetrate them. The public fight us ignorantly.
“I can’t give details about life insurance for us. At a time, they said we do have. I don’t have the details. But I have not seen any of us enjoying the benefits in that regard,” Ogwu added.
He advised the public, especially parents and guardians, to be careful and avoid careless attitudes that often birth fire disasters.