The Federal Fire Service (FFS), has condemned what it described as the continuous attack on firefighters by hoodlums during rescue operations across the country.
FFS Controller General (CG), Abdulganiyu Jaji, said this at a ceremony to mark the 2022 International Firefighters Day themed: “Celebrating Heroism: the firefighters’ ordeal”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the International Firefighters’ Day, which is observed every May 4, was instituted in 1999, following the death of five firefighters during a wildfire in Austria.
Jaji said that the efforts of firefighters during emergencies were not being appreciated by citizens as they were being constantly attacked by those they were supposed to lend a helping to.
According to him, such attacks can kill the morale of firefighters and further discourage them from putting their lives on the line to save citizens.
The C-G, while celebrating those who had lost their lives in the line of duty, said that a day like this was solely to celebrate their heroism.
“When there is fire, flood or building collapse, we are first responders, and in the process of rescue, some have lost their lives while saving others, hence the need for the celebration.
“Some people even go missing during flood rescues which makes it difficult to give flood death figures,” he said.
He said that the service had also received reports of firefighters’ exposure to Post Traumatic Disorder Syndrome (PTSD), respiratory challenges and near death gas cylinder explosions.
He called on citizens to stop treating firefighters as enemies, but as partners in progress.
He therefore, said that a prompt emergency calls put across to fire service call centers was important in saving lives and safeguarding property.
“Citizens should call on time for prompt response,” he said.
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Jaji said that the current Federal Fire Service management would ensure that more protective gadgets were made available for firefighters to minimise fire impacts and deaths.
