Federal Fire Service (FFS) Begins One Month Training of Select UNICAL Staff

The Federal Fire Service (FFS) has begun a one-month training of about 40 University of Calabar staff on fire safety and combating.

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The training which is at the behest of the University Management is geared towards equipping the selected staff with the requisite skills in fire prevention and combating.

Recall that the University of Calabar, in recent times, have been battling with incidences of fire outbreaks, a situation that warranted the Institution's Management to source for and acquire a state-of-the-art fire fighting truck. S peaking during the opening formalities of the training held at the Institution's Senate Chambers, the Director Of Works, University of Calabar, Engr. Joseph I. Alaga stressed the need for the entire university community to be sensitized on how to combat fire incidents within the Institution.

Engr Alaga was addressing the trainees from the Works Department comprising Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, as well as, some selected Security Personnel.

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The Director noted that the exercise is to arm the staff on the knowledge of how to combat fire in the event of an inferno.

He reiterated that Management has deemed it necessary to create a Fire Fighting Unit where staff who are experienced and well-trained are to be deployed to combat the eventuality of any fire incident.

In his words, "You are to consume fire and not fire to consume you"

He implored the participants to be attentive to the training and to judiciously use what they would learn to protect lives and properties.

The Controller of Fire, Zonal Controller, Zone Q, Cross River/Ebonyi State, Mr. Iribom A. Kurutsi, commended the effort of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi and her team for the acquisition of the fire fighting truck for the University.

Mr. Kurutsi said people are suffering over what they can easily avoid, adding that, if you are informed of the necessary safety measures, you will not be deformed.

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He hinted that the three major enhancers of fire incidence are heat, fuel and oxygen, even as he noted that the fire service solely must sensitize individuals and organizations on how best to combat fire incidence to save lives and properties.

The Controller noted that though no one has control over an emergency, there was a need for the University to put a fire extinguisher in strategic places, and create Muster points and exit paths in conference, theatre and lecture halls, as well as, offices for safe exit during emergencies.

He also emphasized the need for Management to furnish the trainees with fire-resistant outfits that can enable them to combat infernos, even as he suggested that students should also be sensitized on fire prevention and control measures periodically.

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Similarly, a retired Director of Fire Service, Cross River State, Mr. Robert Bisong pleaded with the Management to create pathways in offices for safety during such eventualities.

The high point of the opening formalities was a practical demonstration of how to use a fire extinguisher to put out a fire during an emergency.