…AS GOC SAYS “CARELESSNESS ACCOUNTS FOR MOST FIRE DISASTERS”
By Okosun Dennis
In its continued efforts to reduce fire disasters in the barracks, the 81 Division, Nigerian Army on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, organised a one-day Fire Prevention and Management Sensitization Seminar for officers and men of the division.
The one-day training seminar was designed to arouse the consciousness of the troops on the disaster of fire and the need to guide against such occurrences or accidents in our dwelling places.
In his lecture, the Area Commander, Onikan Fire Station, Superintendent Omozuanvbo Godwin implored all and sundry to prevent incidences that could galvanise into fire disasters at homes, factories and other public places.
According to him, “Fire is an enemy. You don’t know when it will come and when it does, it touches everything hence we must be proactive at preventing it from happening in living places.
He admonished participants on getting necessary education/training about the fire. He urged industries, companies and authorities of the army to put out notices, labels, signs and posters at strategic places in offices and barracks on what to do in the event of a fire to minimize casualties.
Superintendent Omozuanvbo while appealing to companies, corporate bodies and others on measures to take to check or arrest fire incidences advised them to put up water hydrants, hose reel equipment and automatic sprinklers among other equipment that would help to promptly deal with fires when they occur
Earlier in his opening remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Major General Lawrence Fejokwu who was represented by the 81 Division Garrison Commander, Brig Gen Nasiru Nagidada said fire incidences have been a recurrent occurrence in Nigerian Army barracks lately and have led to the destruction of lives and properties.
In his words, “While some of the causes of these fire outbreaks are beyond our control, others occur due to sheer carelessness on the part of personnel which could have been prevented.
“The destruction occasioned by these fire outbreaks could have been reduced to the barest minimum if only we have the basic knowledge of how to manage it when it occurs.
“It is my conviction that you will leave this place better informed and equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to prevent and manage fire incidents in the barracks,” Brig-Gen Nagidada reiterated.
The representative of the Chief of Logistics, Army Headquarters, Col JB Adams who spoke during the interactive session noted that “fire is not our enemy but would always be an enemy when misused, noting that we ought to be conscious and be at alert while using fire.
While speaking on his capacity as the Garrison Commander, Brig Gen Nagidada highlighted the importance of the seminar especially as the Yuletide session is around the corner. He explained that the use of crackers is largely responsible for most fires this session.
“Adequate and timely sensitization prevent avoidable accidents. We should be careful when we use fire to avoid disaster in our living areas. However, we are all guilty of carelessness,” he reiterated.
On public awareness created by the Nigerian Fire Service to mitigate fire disaster, the Public Relations Officer, Onikan Fire Station, Supo Nwabueze John said they have always engaged members of the public; sensitizing them on the danger of not managing fire well especially cooking gas and others at home.
He disclosed that before the end of the year, they would carry out yet another campaign and Sensitization and awareness programme considering that the Yuletide period is around the corner.
About 120 officers and soldiers attended the seminar and were drawn from various units and formations under 81 Division Area of Responsibility, they were taken through a practical demonstration on how to combat fire in case of any eventuality.
https://any.peopleandpowermag.com/81-division-sensitizes-troops-on-mitigating-fire-incidences-in-barracks/
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