As part of efforts to support prompt response to fire emergencies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has donated 146 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the FCT Fire Service station in Asokoro and Kuje Area Council.
The presentation ceremony held on Friday, December 13, 2024 at the two fire stations.
TheFact Daily gathered that the Institute had earlier in the year collaborated with Africa Fire Mission (AFM) and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service to train more than 25 Safety and Security Officers on “Advancing Firefighting Operations, Tactics and Leadership”.
Deputy Director, Administration of IHVN, Mr Olafadehun Abiodun who donated the equipment on behalf of the Institute said
fire fighting was a very important function that the government provides for its people in every domain.
“We have been collaborating with the FCT fire service for quite some time now. In our collaboration with them, we noticed that there were some gaps that needed to be filled. And we also believe that the government cannot do everything for us, so we asked where we can come in to assist in bridging the gap”, he said.
Mr. Abiodun also disclosed that the Institute had handed over some PPEs to two other fire stations the previous day:
“We donated to the NJI fire station, the one at games village, their headquarters in Asokoro and the station at Kuje.
“We’re donating in total 146 units of fire fighting equipment to 73 officers, that is two to each officer.
“Before now, we had a capacity building training for the fire fighters in terms of usage of the PPEs, it was in the process we identified the gaps and came to donate, to bridge the gap”, he said.
The Deputy Director explained that the donation was a follow up to the training facilitated by the Africa Fire Mission.
He therefore urged them to make judicious use of the equipment for better service delivery to the nation.
Responding to the gesture, Acting Director of the FCT Fire Service, Engr. Zacheus Adebayo stated, “we appreciate all the efforts of the management of IHVN”.
Adebayo informed that fire fighters were exposed to a lot of risks in the course of discharging their duties ranging from contact with naked wires, Smoke, Elevated temperature among others.
He explained that they were even more elated because IHVN was “doing the right thing at the right time.
“Because this is the dry season, when the rate of fire outbreak is at its peak and we are doing everything possible to reduce it to the barest minimum”, he said.
Similarly, the Head of Operations of the FCT Fire Service, Engr. Adesina Abioye, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Institute and promised to make good use of the donation.
He also enjoined others; well meaning individuals and organizations to replicate IHVN ‘s gesture by assisting the Fire Service with necessary equipments.
The PPEs consist of jackets, trousers, hand gloves, helmets, and a pair of boots.
