The Ogun State Fire Service has sensitised students of various secondary schools, teachers, and artisans in the state on basic knowledge of fire prevention and what to do in case of emergencies on fire outbreaks.

The State Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, Barr. Femi Ogunbanwo during the sensitizion to mark the 2022 International Fire Fighter Day in Abeokuta, said it is essential that people should be well equipped in terms of knowledge and materials to be able to deal with fire outbreaks.

 ‘’The programme is meant to increase enlightenment drive, and equip the public with basic knowledge of fire prevention and what to do in case of emergencies. It is necessary that people should be well equipped in terms of knowledge and materials to be able to deal with fire outbreaks", Ogunbanwo said.

Ogunbanwo , represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Rotimiolu Akinlesi noted that the significance of the Day was to honour firefighters that died on duty while carrying out their duties by keeping the community and environment safe.

He stated that the present administration would not relent in training and retraining of firefighters and also provide them with the necessary equipment needed to combat and reduce to the barest minimal effect of fire outbreaks.

In his welcome address, the State Director, Fire, and Safety Services, Engr. Fatai Adefala, stated that fire could either be caused by natural or man-made reasons, advising people to be more careful in handling fire gadgets, as mishandling can lead to disaster.

He urged the students to take the knowledge acquired down to their various schools and homes, in order to serve as vanguards.

Adefala appreciated the gesture of the present administration for equipping the fire services with human capacity through various employment generation, procurement of fire tenders, renovations of existing fire stations, and construction of ultra-modern fire stations in the State.

In his remarks, one of the teachers from Baptist Boys High School, Mr. Ogunfowora Olayinka, appreciated the men of the Ogun Fire and Safety Services for the enlightenment, saying the knowledge acquired could not be over emphasized, as he had been highly sensitised on the importance of having fire extinguishers in their various homes and its proper usage in order to tackle fire emergencies.