The Nigerian Federal Government has announced its plans to rebrand and expand the scope of the Federal Fire Service in the coming months, News About Nigeria reports.
This rebranding effort will also involve a change of name, transforming the agency into the Federal Fire and Rescue Service.
During the inauguration of 15 firefighting trucks and rapid response vehicles in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, highlighted the government’s vision for the rebranded service.
The Federal Fire and Rescue Service will not only focus on fire-related emergencies but will also be actively engaged in carrying out rescue-related duties.
Minister Tunji-Ojo emphasised the importance of this expanded role, stating, “The fire service will soon be rebranded as the Federal Fire and Rescue Service. They will be expected to collect information, assess risk in various areas, and protect the health and safety of workers.
“Your vehicle’s safety must not be jeopardised. We must develop a robust, implementable, and adequately driven fire and rescue national framework. This framework should identify and assess the full range of foreseeable fire and rescue-related risks, make provisions for prevention and protection activities, and respond to incidents appropriately.”
The minister also addressed the potential employment opportunities created by the rebranded service.
Drawing a comparison with other countries, he highlighted the vast workforce employed in the fire service sector.
Minister Tunji-Ojo stressed that Nigeria, as one of the world’s largest economies, cannot afford to neglect the importance of a well-equipped fire and rescue service.
He expressed his belief that the Federal Fire and Rescue Service would become a major employer in Nigeria, fostering job creation and contributing to the nation’s workforce.
The Controller General of the service, Jaji Abdulganiyu, provided an overview of the service’s performance in the first and second quarters of the year. During this period, the service received 1,096 distressed calls, saved 111 lives, and preserved 91 properties valued at over N300 billion.
Abdulganiyu expressed optimism that these statistics would improve further as the rebranded Federal Fire and Rescue Service embarks on its expanded mission.
The newly commissioned state-of-the-art firefighting trucks and Ford Rapid Response Vehicles signify an important milestone in the country’s firefighting and rescue capabilities.
