Fire Safety Week: Plateau Command Takes Fire Prevention Campaign To Communities, Records Success In Jos Market, Bassa
By: Labaran Ahmed
The Federal Fire Service, Plateau State Command, has intensified efforts to build fire-resilient communities through public enlightenment, grassroots training and preventive safety measures, with particular emphasis on equipping residents to respond effectively to fire emergencies before they escalate into disasters.
This was the major highlight of the opening ceremony of the 2026 National Fire Safety Week, organised by the Federal Fire Service, Plateau State Command, under the theme: "Building a Fire-Resilient Society, One Community at a Time."
The event held today Monday 2nd of November 2026, at the Federal Secretariat Complex Hall, Jos, which brought together representatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), market associations, civil servants and other stakeholders, emphasised the need for collective responsibility in preventing fire outbreaks and protecting lives and property.
In a presentation on community-based fire prevention, a Federal Fire Service officer, Barde, highlighted the remarkable impact of the community sensitisation and training initiatives being promoted by the Plateau State Command under the leadership of the State Comptroller, Deputy Comptroller of Fire (DCF) Sani Ibrahim Ahmad.
He explained that the command's approach goes beyond responding to fire incidents to empowering ordinary citizens with the knowledge and practical skills required to prevent outbreaks, minimise damage and support emergency responders.
Giving practical examples of the impact of the initiative, Barde disclosed that youths around Dilimi in Jos were trained by the Federal Fire Service in basic firefighting techniques. During a subsequent fire incident, the trained youths successfully contained the fire for approximately seven minutes before the arrival of firefighters, helping to save four shops that could otherwise have been destroyed.
He also cited an intervention in Bassa Local Government Area, where community participation and organised patrols were introduced to prevent bushfires from spreading into farmlands during the dry season.
According to him, the initiative recorded a significant improvement, with no farmland lost to bushfires during the monitored season, compared with approximately 15 hectares destroyed in the preceding season.
These examples, he noted, demonstrate the importance of taking fire safety education directly to communities and preparing residents to act responsibly when emergencies occur.
Barde particularly stressed the importance of household preparedness ahead of the Harmattan season, urging residents to clear dry bushes around their homes, avoid unsafe storage practices, keep basic firefighting materials where appropriate and educate children and other household members on emergency procedures.
He also challenged residents to familiarise themselves with the emergency contact numbers of the Federal Fire Service and nearby fire stations, observing that many people only think about contacting firefighters after an outbreak has become uncontrollable.
On emergency reporting, he advised members of the public to provide accurate location details, including nearby landmarks, the nature of the fire, the materials involved and the extent of the outbreak.
He explained that such information helps firefighters determine the appropriate equipment and resources required before leaving their stations, thereby improving response time and operational effectiveness.
The officer further warned against common practices that undermine firefighting operations, including panic, overcrowding at fire scenes, blocking access roads with vehicles and trading activities, delaying emergency calls and attempting to extinguish electrical fires with water.
He urged residents to prioritise personal safety during emergencies, warning against returning to burning buildings to retrieve belongings or attempting dangerous rescue operations without the necessary training and protection.
Barde also encouraged community leaders, market associations, religious institutions and other organisations to collaborate with the Federal Fire Service, disclosing that the Service is available to conduct fire safety sensitisation, community risk assessments and volunteer training for individuals willing to serve as community safety wardens.
He maintained that timely reporting, accurate information and community cooperation remain essential to effective emergency response.
Earlier, the Plateau State Comptroller, DCF Sani Ibrahim Ahmad, welcomed participants and emphasised the importance of the National Fire Safety Week as an opportunity to deepen public understanding of fire prevention and strengthen collaboration among relevant institutions and communities.
His message aligned with the broader objective of the Plateau State Command to move fire safety education beyond government offices and official gatherings into homes, markets, workplaces, schools and other public spaces where fire risks are often encountered.
In her remarks, the Zonal Controller, Zone P, Federal Fire Service, covering Plateau and Nasarawa States, CF Hajara Salihu Zukogi, described the theme as timely, stressing that building fire-safe communities requires the active participation of government institutions, traditional rulers, businesses, community leaders and individuals.
She reaffirmed the Service's commitment to strengthening collaboration with state and local governments, traditional institutions, market associations, schools, religious organisations and the private sector to promote a sustainable culture of fire prevention.
Zukogi noted that the success of the annual Fire Safety Week should not be measured merely by the number of activities conducted but by the lasting impact of the sensitisation programmes on communities.
She also acknowledged the leadership and policy direction of the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, particularly the emphasis on prevention, public enlightenment and improved emergency response.
Representing the Plateau State Head of Civil Service, Mr. Stephen Pam Gadong, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Peter Lamba Bot, described firefighting as a demanding public service that requires dedication, professionalism and prompt response to emergencies, noting that fire incidents do not respect holidays or official working hours.
He urged officers and men of the Service to sustain their professionalism and responsiveness while placing greater emphasis on educating citizens about prevention rather than relying solely on firefighting after disasters have occurred.
The ceremony also featured a practical fire and rescue demonstration by officers and men of the Federal Fire Service, Plateau State Command, showcasing firefighting and rescue techniques designed to protect lives and property during emergencies.
