Enugu State Fire Service will, on May 4, join their counterparts across the World to celebrate the 2022 International FireFighters ‘Day,(IFFD).
The Service will also honour Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his gaint strides in Enugu State fire Service.
Chief Fire Officer, Enugu State Fire Service, Engr. Okwudiri Ohaa, made this known on Sunday, while briefing newsmen on the upcoming event.
According to him, International FireFighters’ Day(IFFD) is “an annual event observed every 4th of May. On this date, people are invited to remember the past firefighters who have died while serving their community or dedicated their lives to protecting the safety of us all. At the same time, people can show support and appreciation to the FireFighters’ world wide for their efforts towards saving lives and property.
‘It is a time the world community can recognise and honour the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure that their communities and environment are as safe as possible. It is also a day in which current and past firefighters can be thanked for their contributions,” he said.
The Fire boss disclosed that Enugu state fire Service intends to honour Ugwuanyi during the forthcoming International FireFighters’ Day scheduled to hold at Amadeo Events Centre at 11am.
Ohaa said that the theme for this year’s event is ,”The gaint strides of Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration: Enugu state fire Service in focus.”
The Chief Fire Officer also disclosed that, “Prior to the coming of Governor Ugwuanyi on May 29, 2015, the Chief Fire Officer, (Chief Fire Superintendent) was a standard size holder, whom at the point of employment was employed as mechanic and driver. The department had no Engineers until 2004/2005 when five engineers were employed. Today, the agency has in its employment over 31 graduates who are trained Engineers. They man sections and units of the agency. One of the first graduate Engineers employed by the department is the present Chief Fire Officer, my humble self.
“Governor Ugwuanyi, within seven years, brought innovations to bear in it’s operations in line with the challenges of the 21st Century fire Service demands .In other words ,he began the re- tooling process in terms of human capital and provision of modern FireFighting equipment and vehicles. Such innovative strides include: establishment of five new utra-modern fire stations across the three senatorial zones of the state after 56 years of utter neglect , recruitment of many firefighters to boost the workforce of the service, release of funds for training and retraining of the agency’s FireFighters including sponsoring the state Chief fire officer to the fire Service college Motern in Mash, London ,UK.
“Approval for Advancements/ Conversion of 27 firemen from the Fireman cadre to officers and Superindent cadres. The affected personnel were stagnant in the fireman cadre since 2011)2015 when they were due for advancements and conversion.
“Governor Ugwuanyi is the first governor in Nigeria to install various types and sizes of fire extinguishers in all the major markets in the state and other fire-prone locations..
“For the first time in the history of Enugu state fire service, His Excellency, Governor Ugwuanyi provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for safety of all the FireFighters in the state.
“Governor Ugwuanyi’s administration created a separate accounting unit for Enugu state fire service. This eradicated adminstrative bottlenecks and red tapism in the system., said.
Ohaa added that the governor procured 12 firefighting vehicles, which include five new mini- fire trucks, give Rapid Response vehicle and two Water Tenders. The governor also sited solar-powered boreholes at Orba, Ogrute,Oni-River, Ozalla and Udi fire stations for steady supply of water for fire fighting interventions
“His Excellency approved the procurement and installation of fire estinguishers in secondary school. The phase one is already completed “.
Ohaa said that Fire estinguishers were also installed in all the local government area headquarters, nine local government areas were already completed.
“He approved the procurement and installation of fire extinguishers in public buildings in the state. The building are Abuja building , Lion building and State secretaraite all in Enugu.
“Governor Ugwuanyi on many occasions had appreciated Enugu state firefighters with monetary awards. They include award of Three million naira and twenty thousand naira for each staff in 2018.
“Governor Ugwuanyi also increased our hazard allowances from N 200 to N10,000., which is among the highest in the country”, Ohaa said.
He hinted that , “Governor Ugwuanyi has constantly and consistently been releasing fund for the operations of the service, paid staff salaries promptly, procured special parade uniforms with accountrements for them, among others.
Ohaa said that the Fire service would extend its fire preventive sensitisation campaign to primary schools and some other public places not yet covered..
He hinted that fire fighters also perform rescue operations, but lack personnel and equipment for such operations. He added that there were plans to establish more fire stations to cover Ezeagu, Uzo-Uwani, Aninri and other local government areas in the state.
The Chief Fire Officer said that only Ugwuanyi will be given an award on May 4, noting that, “Governor Ugwuanyi’s transformation agenda in the Enugu State Fire Service is unprecedented . His Excellency knows the destructive implications of fire outbreaks . This accounts for his proactive measures meant to revamp the fire service department and protect lives and property against for outbreaks.
“May I use this opportunity to call on the public and private office- holders to see fire service as their constituency . They can build Fire Stations in their areas or buy firefighting tools and hand them over to the State Fire Service as part of their constituency or social responsibility projects.
“This will go a long way in supporting the state government and help in mitigating the damages caused by fire outbreaks.
“We honour His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Ugwuanyi, for making our working environment conducive and safe for us. He is truly a leader sensitive to the plight of his people”, Ohaa said.
