The Federal Government has said that it will decentralize fire response centres by opening up more response points equipped with firetrucks to cut down emergency response time.

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this known during a familiarization visit to the national headquarters of the Federal Fire Service, (FFS), in Abuja.

He said the FFS as a key agency in safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians, must be able to respond to emergencies within the shortest possible time because fire accidents and related emergencies can wreak massive havoc within a very short time.

“We will do everything humanly possible to decentralize our emergency response centres because, as first responders, it takes efficiency to tackle fire accidents in good time.

“Let us ensure that we do capacity training, be more committed to our duties, we will equip our officers with modern techniques and modern equipment to be able to accomplish their tasks., We will make sure that we invest in the fire service,” the minister said

He urged the agency to evolve strategies and be creative by looking inward to support its activities taking advantage of strong collaboration with sister agencies.

Controller General, FFS, Abdulganiyu Jaji, said the service is bedeviled by attacks on firefighters by the public, a staff housing deficit, budgetary constraints and the need for a befitting national headquarters.

He said “As a Service, I will like to pledge our unalloyed loyalty to your office and work together to achieve your set out promises to Nigerians, particularly in the area of fire and other related emergencies.

Jaji appealed the minister to keep the “Renewed Hope” agenda by bringing Fire Service closer to the people thereby decreasing response time which is one of our major challenges.”