Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday, said despite the drop in the fire incidents in the state through the use of modern technology, community willpower remains the strongest weapon in firefighting.

Sanwo-Olu made the remark during the Lagos International Fire Safety Conference LIFSC 2.0 in Victoria Island, Lagos, under the theme:“Leveraging Technology and Community Engagement to Prevent Fire.”

The Director of the State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, earlier disclosed that in 2023, about 2,573 fire incidents were recorded, but noted that it dropped to 1,952 in 2024.

Also, property saved in the year 2024 amounted to N117.12 billion, while the estimated property lost was 19.52 billion.

Sanwo-Olu said: “This is an event that builds on the remarkable foundation we laid together at LIFSC 1.0. This conference has become a united front in our shared mission to protect life, property, and the very heartbeat of the economy of our state from the devastating impact of fire.

He disclosed that the Lagos Fire and Rescue Service acquired drones that could quickly fly over an area to check what is burning, cameras that can see through thick smoke, and alarm systems that can warn people early.

“We are also using real-time information so that our firefighters know exactly where to go and what to do the moment a call comes in. These tools help us save time, and when fighting fire, every second counts.

The governor urged participants to leave the conference with a collective resolve that every lesson learned will be applied in homes, workplaces, and communities to champion prevention over reaction and to continue to innovate, collaborate, and educate until the scourge of fire disasters is drastically reduced in Lagos State.

The Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Olugbenga Oyerinde, noted that the state government is leveraging technology and community engagement to prevent fire disasters.

The Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly on Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Age Sulaimon, said: “What we are doing here is germane. We are ever ready to deliver on the legislative aspect of the issue. Without solid law in place, whatever we are doing won’t have a strong backing.”

The Director of the State Fire and Rescue Service, Adeseye, disclosed that “the total property saved in the year 2024 is N117.12 billion while the estimated property lost is N19.52 billion.”