31/01/2023
[31/01, 13:55] ASF I Isaac FFS: *RE: ENYO FILLING STATION FIRE OUTBREAK*
Our attention has been drawn to a social media slander containing an unverified, unconfirmed and misleading comments against the *FCTA* and *FCT Fire Service* . The FCT Fire Service, at first, wanted to keep mute because we know that our services is known and commended by the general public always, but for the sake of clarity, we need to educate the author and his likes that the FCT Fire service has never been absent or refused to honour any distress call from the general public in as much as it is within its jurisdiction.
May we also inform all that at several occasions we have sought the permission of the *Hon. Minister of FCT* to extend our services to the neighbouring states of *Nassarawa* , *Kogi* and *Niger* states which he passionately granted. Fire service work is a team work and therefore whoever gets to the fire scene first takes charge while others that arrived later complement. This is however best understood by the fire commands and expectedly not known to others including journalists, hence the misconception and accusation of FCT Fire Service hiding under other organisations.
[31/01, 13:55] ASF I Isaac FFS: It is also good to note that we have attended more than ten fire emergencies within two (2) weeks which include the Enyo Filling Station in Wuse zone 1.
*For confirmation please refer to the following:*
On *15/01/2023*
* No 6 Maryson str. Byazhin Across, Kubwa.
*AA Rano, Kuje road junction, Gwagwalada.
*18/01/2023*
* Plot 386, Dantata Estate, Arab road, Kubwa.
*19/01/2023*
* Car fire opp. AA Rano filling station, Katampe,
*Plot 496,zone 6, Dutse Alhaji.
*23/01/2023*
Queen Amina str. Opp. Praise Foundation School, Kubwa.
*24/01/2023*
Standard Guest Inn, Mpape.
*26/01/2023* *Orange Filling station, Saburi- Deidei,
* Nextar Bakery, Arab road, Kubwa.
*27/01/2023*
*Jabi False alarm and;
*Enyo filling station, Wuse zone 1.
*Just to mention but a few.*
[31/01, 13:55] ASF I Isaac FFS: More so, there are factors that mitigate against Fire Service arriving to the fire scene on time:
*Not Calling On Time:*
We are not magicians and cannot come to the fire ground except we are called and given proper address. Therefore, having our numbers and calling us on time translates to arriving there on time. This becomes necessary so as to save the situation before it gets out of hand. However, despite our day to day sensitisation many still do not have our numbers.
*Proximity of a fire station to the fire scene:*
It is expected that the closer a fire station is to a particular fire scene, the better. Turning out the nearest fire station is the norm, hence the quick arrival of the Federal Fire Service whose stations are in Wuse Zone 3 and Area 10 Garki respectively.
*Busy traffic:*
Even if the station is close to a fire scene and it is the peak period of the day, delay in vehicular movement is expected. However, that was not the case of Enyo as we were called at *6:58pm* and we got there *7.03pm* but could not access the scene due to attack on firefighters.
*Mob activities* : Once it is discovered that there is an ongoing attack on our men, we activate ‘ *Safety First* ’ principle by calling the men of the Nigerian Police for enforcement before we can fight the fire. We did that before we advanced to the fire scene. You can only save others when you are safe.
[31/01, 13:55] ASF I Isaac FFS: Furthermore, it was evident that what happened that day was as a result of mob attack on our men, *FFS* , and that of the *NNPCLtd* firefighters, so it was expediently necessary for us to take cover and when the reinforcement came, we attacked the fire and brought it under control using our *Foam Tender’s monitor* .
In conclusion, stories based on fallacies and condemnation of an organization that has received many meritorious awards is uncalled for and should be refuted by the public. We stand on our mandate to save lives and property and no blackmail or quest for cheap popularity can deter our *Honourable* *Minister* , *Director* and his *indefatigable firefighters* from carrying out their assigned duties diligently.
We do hope the general public would refuse to be misled by any unverified and unsolicited messages, as we also hope that the author of the slanderous message would take time to verify this submission and from now henceforth *appreciate FCT Fire Service.*
*SF Ibrahim Muhammad Tauheed* _PRO: FCT Fire Service_
