A committee has been set up to commence the processes of collaboration on aerial firefighting between the Federal Fire Service and the Nigerian Air force.
The Acting Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Dr. Karebo Pere Samson who paid a working visit to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao at the headquarters of the Nigerian Air Force explained that Aerial approach to fire fighting would take care of delays associated with access and crowd at the scene of fire incidents.
“When this collaboration comes to fruition, the time for the arrival of fire fighting trucks and officers would help in tackling further damages of fire disasters in the country, especially in areas difficult to access due to road traffic and crowd. Life and properties would be rescued from destruction almost immediately,” he said.
Dr. Karebo told the Chief of Air Staff that the collaboration became necessary because it was extremely difficult and dangerous for firefighters to have access into some burning structures, noted that fighting such fires from above was the best strategy.
Dr. Karebo noted that the Nigerian Air Force whose operations is in the air is best positioned to assist the Federal Fire Service to achieve its mandate in difficult situations.
In a remark, the Chief of the Air Staff Air marshal Isiaka Amao expressed readiness to provide the Federal Fire Service with the necessary support to ensure the safety of Nigerians.
Air Marshal Amao, who disclosed that the Nigerian Air Force has Aircraft that can be used for the purpose of fire fighting, said it would require training since his men were not trained for such task.
“The Nigerian Air force have fire fighting aircraft in its possession and I believe with training and capacity building to our officers, we will effectively carry out this important task.”
The Chief of Air Staff stressed the need for inter-agency training for personnel who would carry out aerial firefighting.
RN
