The Lagos State Government saved properties worth more than N138.54 billion from destruction by fire in the last two years, through the effective deployment of firefighters during incidents across the metropolis.
Rendering an account of the activities of the Ministry, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Engr. Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, said that the government plans to establish more fire stations to enhance the performance of the Fire and Rescue Service.
The Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Engr. Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, disclosed this at the ongoing Y2021 Ministerial Press Briefing organised as part of activities marking the second year of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
He informed that the Lagos State Fire & Rescue Service responded to a total of 1,899 fire incidents since the inception of the present administration and has reduced the occurrence of fire outbreaks by 10% through its enlightenment and sensitisation campaigns on the prevention of fire incidents.
According to him, “The Service also responded to 312 rescue calls within the period under review, in which 203 victims were rescued alive unscathed, while others sustained injuries and a few lost their lives in some of the incidents. These are in addition to 98 false calls received and responded to by the Service”.
Bamgbose-Martins reported that the ongoing construction of three additional fire stations in Ijede, Epe and Ado-Soba would soon be completed to boost the response rate to fire-related emergencies in the State, just as he also listed six other communities, including the Lagos Mainland, Ikorodu, Kosofe, Apapa, Ifako Ijaye and Lekki, where the government would establish fire stations in future.
While informing that the State Government is working out a strategy for the procurement of new equipment and firefighting trucks for all Fire Stations, the Commissioner restated the present administration’s determination to ensure that the lives and property of residents are protected at all times.
He also disclosed that the Ministry is working on the provision of Fire Hydrants across the State, through the restoration of existing hydrants and installation of new ones to curb fire outbreaks, thereby creating water sources for quick response in cases of inferno within Lagos.
Commending Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for the immense support and various transformations of the Fire Service, the Commissioner said the gesture has improved the operational capacity of the agency and its response to emergencies enhanced.
He added that the Governor also approved better welfare programmes, adequate supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and high-quality training programmes to increase efficiency and response time of officers.
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