Despite sacrifices, Nigerians yet to appreciate firefighters, laments Jaji

The Federal Fire Service (FFS), yesterday, condemned attacks on firefighters by hoodlums during rescue operations across the country.

Controller-General (CG) of FF, Abdulganiyu Jaji, disclosed this in a ceremony to mark the 2022 International Firefighters Day with the theme: “Celebrating Heroism: the firefighters’ ordeal”.

International Firefighters’ Day was instituted in 1999 to commemorate the death of five firefighters during a wildfire in Austria and is observed every May 4.

Jaji noted that efforts of firefighters during emergencies are not appreciated by citizens as they are being constantly attacked by those they were supposed to lend helping hand to.

According to him, such attacks can kill the morale of firefighters and further discourage them from putting their lives on the line to save citizens.

The CG, while celebrating those who had lost their lives in the line of duty, said that a day like this was solely to celebrate their heroism.

“When there is fire, flood or building collapse, we are first responders, and in the process of rescue, some have lost their lives while saving others, hence the need for the celebration.

“Some people even go missing during flood rescues which makes it difficult to give flood death figures,” he said.

He said that the service had also received reports of firefighters’ exposure to Post Traumatic Disorder Syndrome (PTSD), respiratory challenges and near death gas cylinder explosions.

He called on citizens to stop treating firefighters as enemies, but as partners in progress.

He said that a prompt emergency calls put across to fire service call centers was important in saving lives and safeguarding property.

“Citizens should call on time for prompt response,” he said.