We Lack Equipment to Combat Fire Outbreaks, Says C' River Fire Service
The Director of the Cross River State Fire Service, Emmanuel Ajom, has stated that the agency lacks the necessary equipment to combat fire outbreaks.
Ajom, who spoke to journalists following incessant fire outbreaks within the Calabar metropolis in the last couple of days, regretted that these incidents were not contained before causing much havoc, but said the agency needs functional fire trucks, water hoses and other equipment to combat fires.
Feeling deeply pained and saddened by the fire outbreaks, he said: "One thing is that men of the Cross River State Fire Service are well trained and capable of putting out these fires, but we lack the necessary equipment to combat them.
"You cannot put out a raging flame with bare hands. The Cross River State Fire Service needs functional fire trucks, water hoses and other equipment to combat fires.
"I want to use this medium to appeal to our great governor, who is doing well in many sectors, to also look in the direction of the fire service. Please, Your Excellency, we need functional vehicles, water hoses and other items used in modern firefighting. We are capable and ready to do the job we were trained and employed to do."
Ajom further said it is not in the best interest of the state for the people to lose their sources of livelihood to fire, adding, "Losing lives and investments worth millions of naira to fire is heartbreaking. This is what the victims have worked so hard to build, and we must save them from the hazard of fire."
"We appeal to government to give more attention to the safety and protection of lives and property."
However, THE BEAGLE NEWS investigations revealed that the State Fire Service has three fire trucks, but all the engines are not functioning, just as the hoses are outdated.
It was learnt that contracts had been awarded to put the trucks in order, but the project was abandoned by the contractor, who currently occupies a sensitive office in this government.
A staff of the Fire Service, who pleaded anonymity, said:
"The government is not ready to have a functional fire service in the state. They awarded a contract for the refurbishing of the three trucks, and the contractor, who is very close to power, did a shoddy job and smiled to the bank.
"I doubt if the current administration is committed to equipping the emergency department, which the fire service represents. So whenever there is a fire outbreak or emergency and we are called, we simply cannot respond because we are not equipped to carry out our work. If we are equipped, we shall perform and respond to emergencies."
