Periscoping Cross River State Fire Incidences, Role of First Responders

To take a step forward and 20 others backward is a sign of crass stagnation, retrogression and retardation. This kind of irrational conduct causes untold psychological trauma such that if left unaddressed becomes an albatross to general wellbeing, similar to fire victims who helplessly supervises their earnings of decades burnt to ashes for colossal inferno.

This gory narrative is most spectacular to Cross Riverians who recent witnessed gales of fire outbreaks with loss of properties worth millions of naira. From Bogobiri in the Southern senatorial district, to Ikom, the commercial nerve center of the state in Central senatorial district, down to Ogoja, Nigeria’s oldest province, situated in the Northern senatorial district of the state, these shockwaves of fire devastations continued to resonate embers of fear and anguish. Worst of is helplessness of the state Fire and Rescue Service to emergency response, replica of backward trajectory.

CAUSES OF FIRE

Fire is often caused by human induced activities of igniting light from a source. Fire can be used for cooking and other industrial purposes. On the other hand, fire can cause bodily harms, death and loss of properties when blown out of proportion.  In an exclusive interview with the duo of Ajom Emmanuel, Director General, Cross River State Fire and Rescue Service and Adekunle Odutola, Cross River State Coordinator, Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), it was deduced that fire crisis is orchestrated by many factors including, careless attitude to flammable properties, gas explosions, indiscriminate candle placement, arson to erase criminal records, electric power upsurge and natural lightening. Others are, use of substandard electric wires, quack wiring, untidy environment, exposure to oxygen, heat, fuel and chain-reaction.

SOLUTIONS TO FIRE OUTBREAKS IN CROSS RIVER STATE

Haven’t established the major causes and danger associated with exaggerated fire therefore, it is pertinent for both private and public establishment to intentionally seek precautionary measures that ultimately reduces the high risk of fire outbreaks with it consequential losses. In doing this, proper handling of flammable materials to tame perennial fire tragedies is canvassed in Cross River State. Additionally, installation of firefighting equipments including smoke detector devices and fire extinguishers in both government and private premises. According to these expert views, conduct of periodic fire drills in government and establishments are essential adrenaline stimulant which increases consciousness of staff members on fire and other emergency situations. Above all, engagement of ISPON certified personnel as safety experts in public and private organizations with advantages of recalibrated risk assessment measures to forestall eventuality.

Motorist are not left out of this safety campaign. This is predicated on the fact that many motorist plying the roads without functional fire extinguishers are increasing the risk on other road users. In this instance, the Federal Road Safety Corp, Vehicle Inspectorate Officers and other relevant Agencies must up her game in checkmating defaulters and enforcing compliance.

CHALLENGES OF CRS FIRE SERVICE

The Cross River State Fire and Rescue Service with the constitutional responsibility of preventing and fighting fire outbreaks is in a state of comatose. Findings by parliamentvanguard.com revealed an ugly reality wherein the Agency is plagued with plethora of challenges. From obsolete firefighting equipments to insufficient manpower, their travails persist with no hope insight. Suffice to saying that her stations in Obudu, Ogoja, Ikom, Obubra, Ugep, Odukpani, Akamkpa and Calabar exist by mere nomenclature with no commensurate functionality.

For the past 20 years, they have been no renovation of facility safe for recent remodeling of her Mary Slessor office by the Otu led administration. Currently, the service have no official mobility for the Director General nor finances for enlightenment advocacies on fire prevention modules.

It will be recalled that at the floor of the Cross River State House of Assembly, honourable members including Hon. Effiong Ekarika, representing Calabar South 1, Hon. Samuel Neji Abang, representing Ikom 1 and Hon. Thomas Aruku representing Ogoja state constituency respectively, they had raised Motions of Urgent Public Importance calling on state government attention to the plights of constituents occasioned by firebreaks. According to Hon. Aruku, the inferno at the State High Court Ogoja has brought unquantifiable devastation to the facility and those whose hopes depended on judiciary for dispensation of justice. With burning down of classified documents at the Registrar’s office, this particular incident has added a layer on speedy dispensation of justice in Nigeria. While hopes are hanging in the balance, it is yet to be seen outcome of forensic investigations on Ogoja Court inferno.

However, stakeholders are urged to collectively intensify efforts on perennial fire outbreak as applicable in the security sector. After all, an injury to one from fire menace is an injury to all. Till that is achieved, expectations on the state fire service as first responder will continue to suffer epilepsy.