Fire outbreaks can be unpredictable, thus the need for the active response of the firefighters to control, save, and protect lives and properties. The common problem we have been having with this sector in Nigeria is late arrivals at the scene. Upon interviewing some of these professionals on TV after a controlled fire outbreak, you will hear all sorts of excuses, like it was a traffic jam that caused the delay, our vehicle broke down, the location of the scene is far from ours, and so on. Some of their reasons are government fault, but on the other hand, lots of funds are being allocated to this sector annually in order to function efficiently and effectively, but still, they aren't meeting the standard, and I wonder if the funds meant for their services are being diverted to something else.
Two years ago, after my younger sister's wedding, her husband's shop got burned. According to them, they finished selling for the day and turned off all electrical appliances, but unfortunately, there was a fire outbreak starting from their shop very early in the morning. A neighbor who first noticed the fire called them on phone immediately, and they rushed down to the shop. On getting there, the fire had already spread to the next shop, and the neighbors were trying their best to quench the fire using detergent and water,but there was some degree of fire that detergent and water could not totally quench. Someone remembered the service of the firefighters and called their number, and they promised to come. Ladies and gentlemen, these people arrived three hours after they were contacted.
You needed to see how the people in the neighborhood trying all means to put out the fire almost caused a scene with the firefighters for arriving very late to the scene according to my sister though. The worst part is that the water they came with wasn't even enough. What kind of incompetent is this? At the end of the day, everything inside my sister's husband's shop got totally burned into ashes. Nothing was recovered; it was so disheartening!
In the few fire incidents I have witnessed in Nigeria, no one around the scene ever bothered calling the firefighters, at least not immediately, because we all know how irresponsible and nonchalant they can be most of the time. Responding to emergencies takes them hours to arrive at the scene. By that time, properties and people must have been badly affected. Sometimes I wonder if most of them actually have the passion for this job, if they lack equipment, or if there are any other reasons I am unaware of. But then, I will be sincere in commending some heroes among them, despite their weaknesses. You will still see some of them who will make every effort to save lives and properties at the scene. Because of how firefighters operate in my country, many people have unprofessionally taken their position in an emergency. The first responders—the neighbors and passersby—who are kind enough are the heroes of our time in a fire emergency. People do not spare their detergents, water, and buckets to locally quench the fire and save lives.
Several fire incidents have been recorded this year here in Lagos State, Nigeria, resulting in the loss of lives and property, including people who sustained injuries. None of the fire outbreak scenes reported the early arrival of the firefighters, at least to curtail the spread of fire. I wish this sector could undergo some rehabilitation for the purposes of saving lives, preventing fire, and protecting properties, which are supposed to be their major duties in our country.
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Fire incidents can be very destructive and I have seen it many times in front of my eyes. Firefighters need to come to the spot as fast as possible to minimize the risk. In my country, the sector needs to be improved but fortunately, they don't delay too much to present the spot to start their action.
The sector seems better in your country than mine...I feel our government has a lot to do in this country. Fire incident isn't something to waste time before doing the needful
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Honestly, the Nigerian government have a lot to do when it comes to the fire sector, it's really sad how they don't treat this urgently as lives are always involved .
Indeed...I am looking for that government that can bring a total reform to this sector. Hopefully, someday
Just like the experience I had when I was a child. The firefighters came late to the scene. They are not placed in strategic areas which is bad. The organization has to do better to save more lives and property.
Exactly...their locations needs some review. They focus on the main city in a state , Instead of other important areas
Thanks for the curation
In Nigeria prevention is mostly better than cure, because market places are susceptible to fire and this is why people should take their own safety measures into check because the Nigerian fire service isn't anything to write home about
Exactly Joe...I think if everyone becomes so intentional about safety, it should save the day. I wish shop owners in the market will be constantly reminded of the need to turn off all electrical appliances before leaving for the day, to prevent such occurrences which would always spread to other shops.
Or even invest money in sophisticated fire fighting equipments.
Indeed..I think it should be better than loosing millions overnight and starting life again incase of fire incidents.
The way balogun market usually catches fire, I doubt if I can own a shop in that market even for free. I may just wake up one day and develop heart attack if fire outbreak should happen over there as usual
Lolz
@tipu curate
Upvoted 👌 (Mana: 53/63) Liquid rewards.
Wow
Much appreciated for the curation 👍
It saddens one's heart things are not working out when public funds are being allocated.
I have not experienced one before but I don't think I would want to call them (fire fighters) for anything.
Like you said, it should be reiterated the reason the sector was created and the importance of humans life and properties.
Hahaha
U wouldn't call them? Lolz
Well, of what use ? I pray we don't experience such incident that will need them
Good morning
Amen.
Morning Teacher.
The story of your sister and her husband is so disheartening. I wonder how painful it would have been to them and how they were able to move on, pushing the pain aside.
Firefighters need to do more, honestly. Imagine the amount of goods that were lost!
#dreemerforlife
My dear..it was a disheartening experience but glad they pulled through
I hope fire fighters wake up to their duties in Nigeria
I hope so, too.
Thank you for sharing.
The fire department is rotten to the core. My mom worked in my state branch as a secretary in the late 1990s and I used to visit. Though I was relatively little, I could see a lot of wrongs in their conduct. They are just like most government arms - grossly undertrained and very under-equipped.
They have been left unattended to because this makes them a fertile ground for corruption and redirection of development funds by the 'ogas at the top.' Afterall, it's easier to steal from a broken system than from an efficient one.
Hmmmm
Their nakedness unveiled here, haha 😂😂😂
I rest my case
Thanks for bringing this up
Really a disappointment
Olz